Pinangunahan ni City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron ang pag-abot ng mga medalya sa mga kampeon at iba pang napanalunang kategorya ng mga kalahok na bansa sa katatapos lamang na 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championship nitong Oktubre 28 hanggang Nobyembre 4.
Lumahok ang mga atleta mula sa AIN, bansang Bulgaria, Canada, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, USA at Uzbekistan.
Sa ginawang Farewell Party ng 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championship sa Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum nitong gabi ng Linggo, Nobyembre 3, inihayag nina Philippine Canoe and Kayak Federation (PCKF) President Leonora Escollante at International Canoe Federation (ICF) President Thomas Konietzko na napahanga sila sa napakahusay na pag-host ng Puerto Princesa sa nabanggit na international sporting event.
Lubos ang kanilang pasasalamat sa pamahalaang panlungsod dahil sa mainit na pagtanggap at matagumpay na paghawak 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championship na nilahukan ng 27 bansa sa mundo.
Ayon kay Escollante, pinatunayan ng pamahalaang panlungsod na world-class ang ‘hospitality’ at pag-organisa ng dragon boat racing ngayong taon.
“In behalf of the host and organizing committee, I would like to extend to everyone our heartfelt gratitude to all your support and to all your participation to support our paddling sport. Thank you so much and God bless us all! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas,” ani Escollante.
“I can say, that this World Championship here had exceeded our expectations. Thank you, Philippines! Thank you, Mayor Bayron! Thank you, Puerto Princesa,” pahayag naman ni Konietzko.
Dagdag pa niya, lumagpas pa sa kanilang inaasahan ang tagumpay ng Dragon Boat World Championships dito sa lungsod matapos na ideklara ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. na ang unang linggo ng buwan ng Oktubre ay opisyal na pagdiriwang ng “Moving Forward Paddling Week” sa buong Pilipinas.
“I would like to thank you for extraordinary World Championships, not only the biggest but also one of the best in the history of the International Canoe Federation.
We were impressed by the President Marcos speech and especially delighted that he announced in his opening speech, a Presidential Proclamation and declare the first week of October as a “Moving Forward Paddling Week” in the whole Philippines.
And for the whole of Puerto Princesa embraced us and watched our competition with enthusiasm, we have probably never more spectators than here,” ani Konietzko.
Binigyang-pagkilala naman ng alkalde ang lahat ng ‘paddlers’ na lumahok at nakibahagi sa nasabing aktibidad at nagpakita ng kanilang suporta at pagmamahal sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa.
“We celebrate you as champions not only for your hardwork and incredible teamwork but also for winning new friends capturing the hearts of people of Puerto Princesa,” pahayag Bayron.
Ipinagmalaki ng alkalde ang panibagong kwento na magiging bahagi ng malaking kasaysayan sa mundo sa larangan ng ICF Dragon Boat World Championships.
“As we come together to conclude this very successful event according to most of you. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this possible. To the ICF officials, to the Philippine Canoe and Kayak Federation officials, to the participating athletes, teams, coaches, organizers, the technical officials and supporters who have brought this event to life in the city of Puerto Princesa — from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all of you.
Thank you, President Thomas Konietzko for trusting us and for giving Puerto Princesa this opportunity. We are deeply honored that Puerto Princesa, Philippines was chosen to host the first ever Dragon Boat World Championships held in Southeast Asian countries. We feel an extra sense of pride knowing that this championship had the highest number of participating countries, the highest number of participating athletes and [the freatest] number of cheering spectator,” pahayag pa ng alkalde
Samantala, gaganapin naman ang 2026 IFC Dragon Boat World Championships sa bansang Canada.
Itinanghal namang over-all champion ang Pilipinas matapos masungkit ang labing-isang gintong medalya, 20 pilak, at 8 na tansong medalya.
| via Lars Rodriguez
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