Members of the Philippine Dragon Boat team said their success in the recent World Dragon Boat Championships would not have been possible if they were under the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation (PCKF).

Dragon boat team assistant coach and drummer Annabelle Tario said in an interview on ANC's The Rundown that only International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) recognized groups are allowed to join the World Championships.

“In the IDBF if you're not a member, you can not participate in the IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships,” she said.

Also with Tario in The Rundown were female paddlers Amina Annudin and Theresa Realiza.

Their mother group, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), is one of the founding members of the IDBF.

The PDBF lost its status as a national sports association (NSA) last March after it refused to be placed under PCKF rule.

Tario said if her group submitted itself to the PCKF, then it would have lost the chance to compete in the World Championships in Florida.

The Philippine Dragon Boat team won 5 gold medals and 2 silvers in the event.

Time trials

Tario also commented on the Philippine Olympic Committee’s (POC) call to have them undergo time trials.

She said that time trials have always been part of their tryouts.

“Ganun naman talaga ang nangyari, meron naman talagang individual time trials... walang problema doon,” said Tario.

She said the question really lies on the NSA conducting the time trials. "Which NSA, what federation [is going to conduct the trials]?” 

source: Dennis Gasgonia -abs-cbnNEWS.com