DAVAO CITY, (PNA) – The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) is now currently looking for the possible backers that will also help form the dragon boat club here with the assistance of the Davao City government.
PDBF is the national team sports organization for dragon boat racing in the country and is one of the founding members of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF). It is recognized by the IDBF as the specific Governing Body for Dragon Boating in the Philippines.
Retired Maj. Gen. Charly Holganza, a representative of PDBF, told sportswriters at the SCOOP of The Royal Mandaya Hotel recently that dragon boat racing “is suited for us Filipinos since it doesn’t require height.”
Holganza, who has already successfully introduced the dragon boat in Bohol, later met with City Sports Development Division Officer-in-charge William “Butch” Ramirez, City Tourism Officer Lisette Marquez and Mayor Rody Duterte’s Executive Assistant Christopher Lawrence Go.
A newly-formed team from Bohol composed of the locals, in fact were able to make it to the finals in four of the nine events in the International Dragon Boat competition held last April in Bohol.
Holganza said that Filipinos are ranked as one of the best “sprinters” in dragon boat paddling in the world because of its ability on precise paddling and pacing techniques.
He said that Davao is also a best place for dragon boats and can benefit in the “tourism, economy, social prestige and sports development “.
Meanwhile, Holganza said a second hand dragon boat will cost at least P150,000.
“We hope that we can purchase at least two second hand dragon boats for a start,” said Ramirez, a former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman.
Holganza, whose wife is a Dabawenya, also met with some members of the Bugsay Dabaw, a group of paddlers in Davao.