A freak accident claimed the life of Nestor Ilagan, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) head coach and considered the father of the sport in the country, on Friday morning.
He was 76.
Ilagan, who coached the dragon boat team that became instant national sensations after a golden performance in the world championships in Florida two years ago, hit his head after slipping in the dock of the team’s practice facility near the Manila Ocean Park on Thursday morning.
He was rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital, but expired at around 3:25 a.m. on Friday.
PDBF president Marcia Cristobal credited Ilagan for introducing the sport in the country as well as the team’s success in tournaments overseas.
“We consider him as the father of dragon boat in the Philippines,” Cristobal shared to Spin.ph as she honored Ilagan for his contribution to the sport. “Isa siya sa mga founder at nagpakilala ng sport (dragon boat) dito, at naging instrument para maging world champion (ang Pilipinas).
Ilagan mentored the PDBF team that captured five gold medals and two silvers during the 10th International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Tampa, Florida two years ago - a feat the Filipino paddlers pulled off despite not receiving financial help from the Philippine Sports Commission or recognition from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
The Filipino paddlers’ success also drew controversy following the PDBF’s refusal to be under the control of the Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation owing to a `directive’ from the International Olympic Committee mandating that dragon boat should be under canoe kayak.
The PDBF was later stripped off its POC recognition for its non-compliance of the IOC directive.
“We do give respect sa mga nagawa at sacrifices na ginawa niya. Nabubuhay siya sa dragon boat. Pinapatigil na siya ng mga anak niya dahil nakatira pa siya sa Antipolo at siya ang nag-da-drive (papunta sa training. Pero inalay niya ang sarili niya sa sport,” Cristobal said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
