Matapos ang matagumpay na Asian Dragon Boat Championship at International Club Crew Championship hangad ng Philippine Canoe Kayak and Dragonboat Federation (PCKDF) na maisagawa sa bansa ang World Club Crew Championships.
Ipinahayag kahapon ni PCKDF president Jonne Go na nagsumite na ang asosasyon ng bidding para sa hosting ng pinakamalaking torneo sa dragon boat para sa taong 2019.
“We submitted our bid because of the suggestion from high-ranking officials of Asian Dragonboat,” pahayag ni Go sa pagbisita sa PSA Forum sa Shakey’s Malate.
“They told us that they were pleased at how we organized the Asian Dragonboat and the Club Crew kaya sila na mismo ang nagtulak sa amin na mag-host ng World Club Crew,” aniya.
“Venice, Italy will be the next host of World Club Crew and with the assurance of Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron, who guarantee us to be the host venue, we hope to win the bid,” pahayag naman ni national coach Len Escollante.
“Most of our Club Crew participants thanked us when they are about to go home. They said this is the first time that they are treated and feel they are part and member of a big family. Gusto nila na bumalik uli dito sa atin at sana nga ay manalo tayo sa bid.”
Kasama nilang dumalo sa lingguhang forum ang mga miyembro ng National Team na nagwagi ng limang ginto at tatlong silver medal sa kambal na international race sa Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Nagwagi ang Pilipinas sa Junior Mixed Small Boat 500m, Standard Male 500m, Standard Male 200m, Small Boat Women 200m at Small Boat Male 200m. Nagkasya ito sa pilak sa Small Boat Women 500m, Small Boat Male 500m at Junior Mixed Small Boat 200m.
Tanging ang Thailand (Small Boat Women 500m), Japan (Small Boat Male 500m) at Chinese Taipei (Junior Mixed Small Boat 200m) ang iba pang nakapagwagi ng ginto sa torneo.
Unang nakapag-uwi ng tatlong ginto, isang pilak at dalawang tansong medalya ang PCKDF na ginanap sa 2016 ICF World Dragonboat Championship sa Moscow, Russia.
Isinagawa ang 2016 Asian Dragon Boat Championship noong Nobyembre 11-12 at ang Puerto Princesa International Club Crew Championship sa Baywalk Area sa Palawan noong Nobyembre 12-13. (Angie Oredo)