THE Philippine Accessibility Disability Services (PADS) Adaptive Dragon Boat Team will have a busy year ahead as it is expected to compete in several competitions in and out of the country.
First off for PADS will be the 2nd Cebu Dragon Boat Fiesta slated on April 13-15 in the City of Naga. The team will then test its skills in the 12th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival on April 19-21.
Two months later, the team travels to Hong Kong to try to defend their Para-dragon crown in the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races 2018.
PADS head coach Christian Ian Sy said the team is looking to fare better this year.
“We will try our best to stay toe-to-toe with other international regular teams this coming April,” said Sy.
Last year, the team finished fourth in the mixed elite’s 500m standard boat race in the Cebu race. They also failed to snatch a medal in the Boracay race last year but the team feels more confident this year.
“Last year’s Boracay race was a test for the team. They gave a good fight back then, but the team was still a bit raw,” said Sy.
The team has been training since the new year began and have focused on boat, pool, and land training even during the Sinulog season.
“Our PADS family is now getting bigger and bigger. Hopefully, more people will support us and believe in what PWDs can do,” said Sy.