Filipino dragon boat aims to win three titles

KUCHING: The Butuan Dragons team from Butuan City, Philippines, aim to win in three categories at the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta 2024.

According to assistant team manager Joshua Waban, the 27 paddlers are excited and ready to compete in this year’s race.

He noted that most of their paddlers are participating in a Malaysian event for the first time.

“Butuan Dragons is a community-based team actively involved in dragon boat racing, with 27 paddlers joining this competition.

“We have around 60 active paddlers in the Philippines, and we are competing in three categories this time: the Premier Open, Mixed Premier, and Women’s Premier categories.

“Therefore, we aim to be champions in all three categories. We hope to bring home the championship,” he said when met with reporters at the Kuching Waterfront on Friday.

He also expressed admiration for the beauty of the river and the hospitality received by his team while in Kuching.

“We are very happy with the accommodation provided and the excellent treatment from the hosts,” he added.