ILOILO CITY — Fifteen “strong teams” from various parts of the country will see action at the 2018 Dragon Boat race to be held at the Iloilo River along Muelle Loney St. on Saturday.
Head of the city’s Youth and Sports Development Office, Moises Solomon Jr., said Thursday this year’s competing teams will do a “sprint” that covers a 250-meter race course along the river.
The race has three categories: all male, all female and mixed. “This race needs teamwork and coordination,” he said.
The dragon boat race began as the Senator Franklin Drilon Cup Dragon Boat Race in 2012 and was taken over by the DoubleDragon Properties Corp., two years after in partnership with the local government here, Solomon said.
“It was first initiated by Senator Drilon as part of initiatives to clean the Iloilo River. We clean our river to attract more investments and tourists,” he stated.
Solomon said “everyone is excited” about the event as they expect thousands of spectators to line Muelle Loney St.
He added that the event, now on its fifth year, will boost one of the thrusts of the city government, which is sports tourism.
“Dragon boat is an international sport, a part of the Olympics and is one of the big events in Europe and US,” he added.
Among the participating teams are the Philippine Coast Guard Dragon Boat Team, Triton Dragon Boat Racing Team, Philippine Army Dragon Warriors, Speed Devilz and Strong 22, Dumaguete Yellowfins, Boracay All Stars Boat Club, Bohol Paddlers Association, Boracay Nami SPR Ati, Rowers Club Philippines Sea Dragons,Inc., Cebu Fireblades Dragon Boat Club, Team Bakunawa Iligan, AMPPHI Davao, One Piece Dragon Sangres, Philippine Wave Warriors DBT, and the John B. Lacson Foundation Komodo Dragon.
Solomon said DoubleDragon has allotted more than PHP500,000 in prizes for the winners.
The race is one of the activities for the month-long celebration of this city’s Charter Anniversary this August.
On Sunday, some 500 to 600 bikers led by the Iloilo City Hall Bikers are expected to join the Iloilo City Fun Ride that will cover a 15-km. route within the city.
Solomon said the activity is part of the road-sharing movement to send a message that roads are not only meant for vehicles but bikers must also be protected.
“We create this event to make our drivers aware that the road is not only for motor vehicles, but there has to be a portion for our bikers,” he said. (Perla Lena/PNA)
