Banjarmasin, (AntaranewsKalsel) - Hundreds of South Kalimantan rowing athletes took part in the dragon boat rowing contest took place in the Martapura River Banjarmasin, August 18-19 in the framework of 68th Province Anniversary and 73rd Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
One athlete who enlivened the race was Muchlis, a former national athlete who won a gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
Muchlis said that he only participated in enlivening the event by entering the Bangun Banua team from Banjarmasin. "Even training with this team is only two days, many are junior athletes," he said.
According to him, a lot of potential of talented rowing athletes in this area can go nationally to continue his trail. He suggested this kind of activity must continue to be carried out, even routinely.
"This kind of official competition will pump up the enthusiasm of our regional youth to truly practice and become professional athletes," he said.
Meanwhile, Head of South Kalimantan Youth and Sports Agency Zakli Aswan stated this dragon boat rowing competition is an annual agenda at the provincial anniversary commemoration every August 14 and the proclamation anniversary every August 17.
"Dragon boat teams across South Kalimantan take part in the event, some for the general class, and others for students," he said.
This year, Zakli continued, there 11 teams for the general class and 15 teams for students taking part in the 2018 dragon boat rowing competition.
"A team consisting of ten rowers, one skipper, and one drummer. They must be in tune with the rowing power to be a winner," he said.
