By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
Paoay, Ilocos Norte—Famous for its dragon boat festival, the
Peoples Republic of China donated two units of dragon boats to the local
government unit of Paoay in support of its growing water sports activities at
the legendary Paoay Lake here.
Dragon boat race has become
popular at the 87-hectare Paoay Lake Natural Park since its inception last year
when the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation in partnership with the
municipal government here organized the first-ever dragon boat clinic in the
province to promote paddling sport to the younger generation.
With young individuals,
mostly students aged nine years old and above lured into this sports program, Paoay
mayor Jessie Galano said the new dragon boats donated by the Chinese government
through the Chinese Consulate Center based in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte “will
go a long way for the training of young athletes.”
“We are thankful for the
donation of two units of dragon boats here in our municipality. We look forward
to host more dragon boat competitions in the future and let the people discover
the beauty of our lake as an ideal venue for water sports tourism,” said Mr. Galano
as he reported that they will use the dragon boats in future dragon boat
competitions in the municipality.
Wang Jianqun, consul and head
of post of the Chinese Consulate officially turned over the two units to this town’s local
government.
Just recently, hundreds of
water sports enthusiasts joined the second invitational dragon boat tournament
at the Paoay lake along Brgy. Nagbacalan.
Prior to the competition, the
Philippine Canoe, Kayak and Dragon Boat Federation conducted a one-day clinic
to demonstrate all necessary skills and techniques in rowing to the
participants. The same group officiated the race.
A total of 20 teams joined
the competition, 14 teams came from other provinces and six teams were from
Ilocos Norte, mostly Paoay residents.
Comments
Post a Comment