Best Phl paddlers eyed for SEAG

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) team that won five gold and two silver medals in Tampa, Florida more than a week ago may yet end up representing the country in the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia in November.

But Nestor Ilagan, PDBF head coach and technical director, said while they may be open to forming a unified team with the Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation (PCKF) for the SEA Games, it doesn’t mean they are giving up the fight.

The PDBF members are seeking to regain their NSA (national sports association) status and the recognition of the Philippine Olympic Committee. The PDBF used to be an NSA but was stripped of that privilege by the POC recently.

The PCKF is the one being recognized by the POC because canoe-kayak is an Olympic sport. The POC said the PDBF members can only regain their status as members of the national pool if they agree to be placed under the PCKF.

The POC said the PDBF lost its NSA status because the sport of dragon boat, as well as the International Dragon Boat Federation, is not yet recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

Regardless of the question on the PDBF status, POC deputy secretary general Mark Joseph yesterday said the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission will make sure the country’s best paddlers will get to compete in this year’s SEA Games.

The House committee on youth and sports yesterday conducted a hearing on the dragon boat controversy, and there were some heated arguments between POC president Jose Cojuangco and some of the PBDF representatives.

“Congress hearing to dragon boat today was very enlightening to Congress,” said Joseph.

“The outcome that we were all looking for is for the POC and PSC to guide PCKF in the selection of PBDF members so that the best paddlers in the country can be selected for the SEA Games.

“Once united, better financial support and if they win again, more awards can be given as with all athletes. Unity talks begin next week between concerned parties, and Congress will only be sending an observer, in deference to Olympic charter’s provision on government intervention,” said Joseph.

The PDBF, however, is standing firm on its refusal to be placed under the PCKF.

Besides, it’s just a matter of time before dragon boat becomes an Olympic sport, the PDBF said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) promised yesterday to extend financial assistance to the PDBF even if it is not a recognized national sports association (NSA).

PSC chairman Ricardo Garcia made the promise during a hearing of the House youth and sports committee chaired by Camarines Norte Rep. Renato Unico Jr.

Garcia, Cojuangco, POC chairman Monico Puentevella, and representatives of the PDBF and the Canoe-Kayak Federation, attended the hearing.

Youth and sports committee secretary Percy Managuelod told The STAR that Garcia informed the committee that under Republic Act 9064, NSAs are entitled to financial assistance.

They can also claim certain incentives if they win in international competitions, Garcia said.

However, he said the law does not prevent the PSC from helping groups that are not recognized as NSAs.

He added that the commission would consider granting assistance to the PDBF, which won the recent International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Florida.

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano earlier called on the government and private groups to help the Philippine paddlers.

Cojuangco suggested that the PDBF should merge itself with the Canoe-Kayak Federation, which is already a recognized NSA, so it could claim the entitlements the law provides to NSAs.

But PDBF president Marcia Cristobal rejected the suggestion, saying they are a different group and their sport is different from canoe-kayak racing.

Managuelod said it was at this point that Unico, the committee chairman, suggested that the feuding groups resolve their differences with the PSC as mediator.

Garcia said he would call POC, PDBF and Canoe-Kayak Federation officers next week to settle their differences. – With report from Jess Diaz