AN INTERNATIONAL dragon boat race may happen during the Higalaay Festival in August this year, according to Cagayan de Oro Trade and Investments Promotions Office (ORO-TIPC) head John Asuncion.
Asuncion, who is also the founder of the Dragon Boat Kagay-an, said he will have to meet with the dragon boat race officials from Manila first.
"We have posted quite a number of races and have more or less prepared ourselves for a much bigger race, which is an international race," Asuncion said.
Cagayan de Oro has recently concluded its Mayor's Cup Spring Festival Dragon Boat Race with an awarding ceremony and fellowship night.
Army Dragons Warriors from Manila won the championship title in three categories, namely 1000M Catch the Rabbit Tail Standard Mixed Crew, 300M Standard Mixed Crew, and 300M Standard Open Crew.
Cagayan de Oro Dragon grabbed the championship title on the 300M Standard Mixed 24 & Under Crew, and second runner-up on the 1000M Catch the Rabbit Tail Standard Mixed Crew.
Manila Masters, on the other hand, won as champion in the 300M Standard Mixed Masters Crew.
According to Asuncion, he plans to invite dragon boat teams based in Asia for the international race which is expected to happen on August 19 and 20 of this year.
Mayor's Cup Spring Festival Dragon Boat Race
Here is the complete list of winners of the Mayor's Cup Spring Festival Dragon Boat Race:
(1000M Catch the Rabbit Tail Standard Mixed Crew)
Champion: Army Dragon Warriors (Manila)
1st Runner-Up: Amihan (Davao)
2nd Runner-Up: Cagayan de Oro Dragons
3rd Runner-Up: Dumaguete Yellowfins
(300M Standard Mixed 24 & Under Crew)
Champion: Cagayan de Oro Dragons
1st Runner-Up: Barangay Carmen Dragon Boat Team (Cagayan de Oro)
2nd Runner-Up: UZ Wildcats
3rd Runner-Up: RMMC Bluefins Dragon Boat Team (General Santos)
(300M Standard Mixed Masters Crew)
Champion: Manila Masters
1st Runner-Up: Barangay Carmen Dragon Boat Team (Cagayan de Oro)
2nd Runner-Up: Davao Masters
(300M Standard Mixed Crew)
Champion: Army Dragon Warriors (Manila)
1st Runner-Up: Gladiators Davao
2nd Runner-Up: United Dragonhearts (Negros)
3rd Runner-Up: Amihan (Davao)
(300M Standard Open Crew)
Champion: Army Dragon Warriors (Manila)
1st Runner-Up: Speed Devilz (Manila)
2nd Runner-Up: Samal Dragons (Davao)
3rd Runner-Up: Barangay Carmen Dragon Boat Team (Cagayan de Oro)
Winners from each category received cash prizes, trophies, and medals. Champion teams got P50,000 in cash prize, P30,000 for the first runners-up, P20,000 for the second runners-up, and P10,000 for the third runners-up.