Philippine Army To Participate In 10th IDBF World Club Crews Dragon Boat Championships

The Philippine Army (PA) will be deploying a team to participate in the 10th IDBF World Club Crews Dragon Boat Championships in Adelaide, Australia on April 1-10.

The PA team, named the Army Dragon Warriors, will participate in the Small Boat Division, Men’s Open Events and Mixed Events (2,000m, 500m and 200m) or a total of six different events, said Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao.

The team won two gold medals and set world records in the 500m and 200m events during the 9th CCWDBC held in Ravenna, Italy in September 2014.

For the first time, the Army will allow the participation of female paddlers during the world championships.

“I wish you all the best. Be the ambassadors of goodwill in Dragon Boat sport,” said PA commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año.

Seven members of the Army Dragon Warriors were part of the team that captured five golds and two silvers during the 9th IDBF World Championships in Tampa Bay, Florida in 2011.

The Army Dragon Warriors is a SEC-registered Dragon Boat Club that is also a member of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation.

In 2015, the team emerged as the overall champion of the national dragon boat regatta participated by different club teams around the Philippines.

Among the corporate sponsors of the team include Cherifer Premium and Mighty Sports; and for other sponsors, PCSO, Smart Communications, AFPSLAI, Gameville PAFCIPIC and PAGCOR.

The team will depart for Australia on April 1 and it is expected to return on April 11. (PNA) JMC/PFN