Looks like there is a problem with the Club Crew Championships in Cape Town... They don't have enough boats... they have a total of.. four.. and they're not even up to standard... WTF?!??
How does an international body like the IDBF award a race of this caliber to a place that has 4 run down dragonboats??!? Surely they were aware of this when they award Cape Town right?
No cash to power dragon boats
24/11/2003 13:28 - (SA)
Tisha Steyn
Cape Town - A lack of funds could sink the Mother City's bid to host the international dragon boat racing championships next year.
Nicola Osse, organiser of the weekend's annual dragon boat race that took place at the V&AWaterfront, said South Africa has won the bid to host the colourful affair for the first time, but a lack of funds could sink it.
The championship would originally have been held in Japan, but that country had to withdraw, she said.
Cape Town won the bid against strong contenders such as the US, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Canada. The latter, in particular, offered very strong competition, as it has an Olympic course and financial backing.
Mike Thomas, chief official from the International Dragon Boat Association in UK, who officiated at the weekend's event and would again be here in April next year, said Cape Town offered a very good venue.
He said it would be the first time the event takes place in Africa. This would hopefully enable more African countries to take part and offer an opportunity for the sport to develop on the continent.
Cape Town is also a famous tourist destination. The Waterfront offered a unique atmosphere and beautiful views, Thomas said.
And last but not least, Thomas praised Osse as a "remarkable events organiser".
Osse said 750 participants from 10 countries have already booked accommodation and airfares for the event that will take place on April 15-18 next year.
These participants are from Canada, US, Poland, UK, Italy, Germany Australia, Hong Kong, Russia, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Fifty crews from 20 countries worldwide are expected to take part.
However, the existing four boats in Cape Town are not up to standard, Thomas said.
He said this was a unique opportunity for businesses to get international exposure by sponsoring one or more of the boats.
He said the championships needed at least 12 boats that would race six at a time.
The boats can be manufactured locally and would cost R40 000 each.
Paddlesnappers Blue won the weekend's club race category, while the UCT Graduate School of Business took first place in the corporate category.
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,6119,2-7-1442_1449985,00.html
