Source manilatimes.net - PHILIPPINE Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) rowing team coach Ma. Annabelle Tario said they would not join the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation (PCKF) reiterating that their organization has its own effective programs and is already a member of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF).
A recent memorandum by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stating that Dragon Boat racing is a sport that falls under the canoe-kayak discipline requires the PDBF to join the national sport association (NSA) PCKF for its rowing team to be allowed to compete in Olympic-sanctioned tournaments like Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and the Olympics.
Tario told the Manila Times that the removal of the PDBF’s status as an NSA did not go through proper procedures. Contesting their disbarment from the Philippine Olympic Committee, she cited Article 4, section 7 and 8 of the POC’s by-laws, “In case of suspension (suspension of membership includes suspension of any privileges as member), it will be decided by 2/3 vote of the entire voting membership of the POC.”
Tario said that the PDBF should be assessed by the POC by its accomplishments, “The POC, being the leading sports body in our country should fully support an NSA that consistently performs and fulfils the criteria and conditions laid upon it in advancing the sport discipline it represents,” she said.
The PDBF rowing team last week won five golds and two silvers in the recent 10th International Dragon Boat Federation’s World Championship in Tampa Florida.
The POC meanwhile, maintains its position requiring the PDBF to join PCKF for the Dragon Boat team to join IOC-sanctioned events.
In the House of Representatives, Rep. Mark Aeron Sambar of Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta partylist, Rep. Rodolfo Albano of Isabela and Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay of Zambales, made initiatives to recognize the recent achievement of the PDBF rowing team and conduct an investigation on the selection process and guidelines used by the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in accrediting NSAs.
Sambar filed House Resolution 1582, which is asking the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development to carry out a formal inquiry on the issue.
“Whatever dispute or controversy they had should be put behind now as we urge the PSC and POC to restore funding support for our PDBF team. For all their hard-earned victories for our country, the PDBF rowing team members deserve our support and recognition,” Albano said.
