Phl dragonboat team trains at Paoay Lake

By Zhermaine B. Bacud, PGIN-CMO Intern

PAOAY, Ilocos Norte – The national dragonboat team of the Philippines has chosen the province, particularly the legendary Paoay Lake, as the site for their final leg of training in preparation for the upcoming Asian Games 2018.

According to Faivo Bartolome, sports consultant of INSDC, the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation (PCKDF) and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), through the Ilocos Norte Sports Development Council (INSDC), have work together in supporting the nation’s Dragonboat team.

He said the national team have been staying in the province for a month now.

The Provincial Government, he added, has provided the team’s accommodation.

“They are currently staying in the coaches’ quarters in our stadium,” Bartolome stated, referring to the Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag City.

“We also provided them transportation and allowed them to use the sports facilities of the province,” he added.

He said that the team is staying in the province until August 18 as they currently hold their training at Paoay Lake.

The 2018 Asian Games will be held on August 18 until September 2 in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.

Having won four (4) gold and two (2) silver medals in the Taiwan International Dragon Boat Festival and two (2) gold medals in the 2018 Asian Dragon Boat Championship in China, the Philippine team is eyeing more medals to give the Filipinos something to be proud of for the 2018 Asian Games.

Bartolome also stated that the team is training selected Ilocano youth, mostly from Municipality of Paoay, during weekends. The training is also open to all sports enthusiasts. (Zhermaine B. Bacud, PGIN-CMO Intern)