MANILA, Philippines – A Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) official has again belittled the Philippine Dragon Boat squad, claiming that most of the events participated by the Filipino paddlers in the recent World Championships in Tampa, Florida were “merely for beginners.”
POC Director Jeff Tamayo downplayed the team's 5-gold medal haul by saying the Filipino paddlers competed against inferior teams.
“[Sa] sinalihan nilang competition, they're like big fish in a small pond…ang sinalihan nila ay sa beginner's competition. [It’s] for those who don't have 20-man teams,” Tamayo told ABS-CBN Studio 23’s Iba-Balita.
He said that unlike other teams, the Philippine team had already benefitted from years of training. He claimed that it was unfair competition.
“Kargado na sila from the years of PSC funding tapos hahataw sila sa mga bagong countries na bagong sali. Don't tell me that's fair. But I congratulate them [Dragon Boat team] for the gold,” said Tamayo.
Contunue Reading at abs-cbnNEWS.com
.jpg)
