Handicapped Filipino Paddlers Defend Dragon Boat Championship Title in HK

Consul Paulo V. Saret of the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong celebrates the victory of the Philippine Accessibility Disability Services Inc. (PADS) Adoptive Dragonboat Racing Team, back-to-back champions of the paradragon event in the 2018 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival, at the awarding ceremony held at Pier 10, Central District, Hong Kong on 24 June 2018. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

HONG KONG 20 July 2018 – The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong hailed the successful defense by the Cebu-based Philippine Accessibility Disability Services Inc. (PADS) Adoptive Dragonboat Racing Team on 24 June 2018 of their championship, at the paradragon event of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival.

During the final heat of the three-day regatta held in Victoria Harbor of Hong Kong’s Central District, PADS—composed mostly of physically challenged men and women—easily topped the field in the 400-meter championship race.

Under the sweltering summer heat, support from fellow Filipinos cheered on the defending champions, as the team left the competition behind.

For their victory, the back-to-back champions were awarded a large gold trophy for the team, and individual medals for each of the crew who overcame their physical disabilities such as hearing, amputation and polio.    

“I’m overjoyed. We did it again. Once more, we have proved the capability of the Filipino,” said team coach and drummer Christian Ian Sy.

“Last year, they came here with little support, yet they won. Now, they came back and won again,” said Consul Paulo V. Saret, who represented the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong at the awarding ceremony.

“Physical disability is not a hindrance to success. But they need the all-out support of our compatriots, and the Consulate is always there to give its all-out support,” Consul Saret added.

The team this year is composed of 44 paddlers and four coaches, compared to last year where there were only had 33 paddlers.

Assisted by corporate sponsors, PADS trained for three months in preparation for the event held at Victoria Harbour, considered one of the most competitive dragon boat festivals in the world.

Dragon boat racing is believed to have originated in southern China more than 2,000 years ago. In Hong Kong, the Dragon Boat Festival is called the Tuen Ng Festival, which is traditionally held on the fifth day of the fifth month of the traditional Chinese calendar. While the holiday centered on 18 June 2018, there are dragon boat events in the whole month of June. END

For more information, visit www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/

The Philippine Accessibility Disability Services Inc. (PADS) team proudly displays the Philippine flag as they claim their back-to-back win in the paradragon event of the 2018 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival during the awarding ceremony held at Pier 10 in Central District, Hong Kong on 24 June 2018. (Hong Kong PCG photo)