Paddlers seek old NSA status for PDBF

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), whose paddlers captured five gold medals and two silvers in the recent world championships, is open to a dialogue with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

“We are always open to talks. But we’ll make only one request – that they bring back PDBF’s NSA (national sports association) status. The PDBF should be the governing body of dragon boat in the Philippines,” PDBF president Marcia Cristobal said upon their arrival yesterday.

“We only want to get back what was ours,” Cristobal added in the welcome-press conference prepared by team sponsors Cobra Energy Drink and Philippine Airlines.

“PAL’s support of world-class athletes has been demonstrated through the decades. It befits them to be flown by the national flag carrier when they compete for country and flag at tournaments abroad,” said PAL president Jaime Bautista.

The PDBF has lost recognition as an NSA from the POC, which has ordered the federation to submit to the authority of the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation (PCKF) as per International Olympic Committee directive.

As such, the PDBF also lost its rights to receive financial assistance from the government agency, the Philippine Sports Commission, forcing the group to look elsewhere for funding for its world meet stint in Florida last week.

Cristobal said the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), during its last Congress, advised them that their application with the IOC is already in the works.

“We were told we already met the required number of 75 (member countries) in the process of having dragon boat recognized as a sport. We’re just waiting for the result of the application made by the IDBF,” Cristobal said.

The 26-member team arrived from the US yesterday and were given a warm welcome at Century Park Hotel by wellwishers led by Asia Brewery, Inc. COO Michael Tan and PAL EVP Vivienne Tan, representing their father Dr. Lucio Tan, PAL president Jaime Bautista, and ABI marketing VP Hubert Tan.

“We’re happy to earn this honor and we offer it to the nation ,” said men’s team captain Usman Anterola, whose “Dragon Warriors” later paid a courtesy call on President Aquino yesterday afternoon.

As to criticisms on their “age” and the “prestige” of the small boat division that they excelled in, the paddlers would rather not engage in a word war.

“With the accomplishments we had, I think we don’t have reason to say anything against anyone right now,” said Cristobal. “We just want to enjoy our victory.”

The Phl “Dragon Warriors” next target various invitational meets in South Korea, Singapore and Shanghai next month and the Asian Championships and Club Crew World Championships next year.