The Philippine national men's dragon boat team is out to defend its title in the World Dragon Boat Race Championships in Czech Republic this coming August despite funding woes.

The Nationals, who won the world champion title during the last World Dragon Boat Race Championships in 2007, said they are having trouble raising funds because each member sent to Czech Republic would cost P150,000.

They noted that they have to send at least 23 members.

For his part, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping told ABS-CBN News that they will provide funding for the team’s foray in Czech Republic.

"We will fund the participation," he said.

The 9th World Dragon Boat Race Championships will be staged in Czech capital Prague from August 26 to 30.

Aside from being the defending champion, the RP dragon team also holds the world record finish of 42:16 seconds during the 2007 world championships in Australia.

The RP team bested China (42.29), Britain (43.26), Australia (43.30) and the United States (43.80).

"We brought ‘yong mga de latas (canned goods) para sa daily food nila, tapos five kilos of rice per athlete" related Judith Hakim of their Australia experience. Hakim is the secretary-general of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation.

"Para makatipid rin sa transportation and lodging namin, super near the race site. So going to the race site, ‘yon na ‘yong warm-up nila kasi they have to run," she added.

Up to now, the team is finding ways to earn more money.

“Sa Manila Bay sumisid kami ng tahong para meron kaming extra,” said Philippine dragon boat team member Alex Sumagaysay. “Minsan binebenta pa namin ‘yon para makadagdag din sa pamilihan namin.”

“Tiis lang at tiyaga,” he added.

In 2005, the RP team bagged six gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games while in the 2009 World Beach Games, the team won three medals. With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News