THE 2023 National Palarong Pambansa, which had been canceled for three years due to the pandemic and other challenges faced by the host localities, Mamburao and Marikina, will finally kick off with a dragonboat race in Marikina City.
The exhibition race, known as the “1st Hon. Marjorie Ann Theodoro” Dragonboat Festival, will take place on July 31 at the Marikina Riverbank, in time for the opening parade of the Palaro.
Over 400 paddlers from across the Philippines will gather from July 29 to August 5 to mark the revival and opening of the 75-year-old school-based competition.
This is the first time that Marikina City will be hosting the national Palarong Pambansa, and Marikina Mayor Marcelino Theodoro expressed his excitement about showcasing the city’s sports facilities and amenities.
The city government officials and employees are working hard to ensure that all participating athletic delegations have a wonderful experience.
The mayor invited the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation (PCKDF) to organize the dragonboat exhibition race.
In a meeting with PCKDF President Leonora Escollante, the mayor expressed confidence that the post-pandemic competition would reignite public interest and attract many competitors.
The dragonboat race will serve as the opening event, followed by a week of friendly races and sports matches in various venues throughout the city.
Escollante signed an agreement with the mayor, allowing the PCKDF to oversee the dragonboat exhibition.
She expressed hope that in the future, dragonboat racing would become a regular sport in the Palarong Pambansa. As a country with long coastlines and a strong connection to the water, she believes that paddling sports should be embraced by local government leaders as a major recreational activity.