CAMBODIA has just thrown a new wrinkle in the “handicapping” system of events in dragon boat racing against other countries competing in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, according to national coach Len Escollante.
“On top of the two-thirds participation in 13 events in dragon boat racing for other countries, Cambodia has also set an age cap of 24 and under in the men’s and women’s divisions in 10 of them,” Escollante said.
“Ang sampu dun, ang athletes 24-and-under. Tatlo lang ang open category, ‘yung 10-seater men’s 800, 500 and 250-meter events,” added the coach, also a deputy chief of mission of the national team.
The events where there will be age limits are the men’s 20-seaters, five-seaters, women’s three-seaters, and 10-seaters mixed group in the 800, 500 and 250-meter events,
“You will have to choose wisely, particularly in the open category, whether you want to compete in the event. Mamimili ka ngayon,” Escollante added, disclosing that veterans like Ojay Santos and Hermie Macaranas will be restricted from seeing action in the three open events because they are overaged.
Despite the age group limit, she said the national team, which has been training in San Jose, Leyte for the past two years amid the pandemic, will be competitive because it has been infused with fresh blood from the sports association’s grassroots programs.
“The Philippine Canoe Kayak and Dragon Boat Federation has been continuing its grassroots programs so we have paddlers who meet the age limit when this rule was announced. May laban tayo,” she said.
She also expressed thanks to the Philippine Sports Commission for its sustained support to the national paddlers.
Escollante said her charges are keen on redemption after their so-so showing in the 2019 SEA Games hosted by the country.
“Gusto naming makabawi sa Cambodia dahil hindi naging maganda ang performance namin three years ago,” she said.
Given the absence of international exposure since the 2019 SEA Games, Escollante is hoping the national team can have at least one tune-up meet overseas before the 32nd SEA Games set May 5 to 16, 2023 in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh and the northwestern city of Siem Reap.
The last time the national team saw action abroad was in September 2018 when the paddlers went home with five gold and two silver medals from the International Canoe Federation world dragon boat championships in Gainesville, Florida.
