THE Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation (PCKF) rowers are not slowing down following an impressive performance in the recent International Club Crew Championships in Puerto Princesa City.
The team won five gold and three silver medals in the event staged last month, surpassing their projection of three gold medals.
The successful rowers in the men’s 200-meter and 500-meter 20-seater and women’s 200-meter and juniors 500-meter showed off their medals in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate.
PCKF President Jonne Go and Head Coach Len Escollante accompanied the paddlers to the forum, where they also announced Puerto Princesa City’s bid to host the World Club Crew Championships in 2019.
“We already presented our bid with the help of Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron. If we win the bid, we will host the event, which is expected to draw as many as 60 teams from around the world,” Go told the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Accel, Shakey’s and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Malaysia dropped dragon boat in its 2017 Southeast Asian Games program, but Escollante said it doesn’t mean the PCKF members are lowering their guard.
“There’s a plan to host the Russian team in a friendly competition and based on early information, it will be held in Boracay. Then we will focus on the 2018 Asian Games,” Escollante said.
Also gracing the forum were coaches Diomedes Manalo and Norwel Cajes, and paddlers Alex Generalo, OJ Fuentes, Jordan De Guia, Oliver Manaig, Raquel Almencion, Patricia Bustamante, Apple Jane Abitona and Rosel Burgos.