1 September 2014 – The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw and members of the Filipino community welcomed the Philippine Dragon Boat Team upon arrival at the Warsaw Chopin Airport on August 25 to compete at the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Dragon Boat World Championships from August 28 to 31 in Poznan.

The Philippine team under head coach Leonora Escollante competed in 12 different events and first saw action in the 20-paddler 500-meter Seniors Men first heat against teams from host Poland, Ukraine and Italy at 9:32 a.m. on August 28. The top two finishers joined 4 other qualifiers for a place in the finals at 1:06 p.m. on the same day.

The Philippine Team won six gold medals and one silver medal at the 2012 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships in Milan, Italy.

Poznan is one of the oldest and largest cities located in West-Central Poland about 281 kilometers away or 2 1/2-hour train travel from Warsaw. It is an important center for trade, services, industry, culture, higher education and science. It is the historical capital of the Wielkopolska Region, and per Polish Central Statistical Office, the city population was 548,028 in 2013. There are four Filipino community members in the city.

Fifteen (15) countries registered for the four-day biannual competitions to be held at the Malta Regatta Course.

The Philippine Embassy enjoins the Filipino community in Poland to provide material and moral support to the Philippine Team.  END