Palace to public: Show 'Azkals-level' support for PHL dragon boat team

Malacañang on Saturday urged Filipinos to rally behind the Philippine dragon boat team that topped the 1,000-meter small boat event of the biennial 10th International Dragon Boat Racing Championship in Tampa, Florida. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said support from Filipinos will mean much to the team, which still has several competitions in the next few days. “Let’s show our support for them," she said on government-run dzRB radio, noting that most of the 12 members of the dragon boat team are soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. She also urged Filipino sports fans to show the same fervor that they did in supporting the Philippine “Azkals" football team. Valte also pointed out it is a big sacrifice for Filipino athletes to prepare just to represent the country in international events.
For its part, the team said it was grateful to receive support via its Facebook account. "What more can [we] say? The medals, the results, the people’s love and support. The athletes, the coaches, the fellow dragon boaters, the sponsors. Mula noon hanggang ngayon, nagtatala tayo ng kasaysayan. Let's celebrate the fact that one of the unpopular sports in the country is finally put into the spotlight!" the team said on its Facebook account. — JE, GMA News