Executive President calls for members to strengthen the IDBF.
18 Jan 2004.

In his report to the Congress, Mike Haslam the IDBF Executive President called upon all IDBF Members to strengthen their federations and make their priority over the next few years the development of the sport in new areas, with a goal of 75 IDBF Members by 2008.

In his report the EP covered the last two years of the Federation's work, which included a summary on the ongoing situation with the International Canoe Federation (ICF) and the IDBF/ICF Joint Agreement. In concluding this area of his report the EP said that a Joint Working Committee (JWC) had been set up to look further at ways of resolving the difficulties between the two International Federations and exploring ways in which the IDBF and ICF could work together as partner paddle sports. The EP recommend to the Congress that the JA be accepted as the basis on which the IDBF would be willing to continue its dialogue with the ICF, through the work of the JWC.

The EP went on to report that the Executive Committee had met with Mr WEI and Mr HE, Chinese Members of the IOC to discuss the possibility of the IDBF becoming and IOC recognised International Federation. During this meeting it was confirmed that the IDBF would need to have at least 75 members for such recognition and that therefore the Federation's priority should be to obtain these extra Members. The EP informed Congress that the Council therefore called on all IDBF Members to help achieve this goal by developing the sport on a wider basis and encouraging the formation of independent DB associations in countries and territories where they did not presently exist.

In closing his report, Mike Haslam paid tribute to the members of the Executive, the Council and Commissions for their hard work during the period but in particular he acknowledged the work of the IDBF President, ZHANG Faqiang of whom the EP said that without the leadership, dedication and enthusiasm for Dragon Boat Racing that the President had shown, the last 2 years would have proved extremely difficult ones for the IDBF and the sport.
                                                         Source: 'Dragon Boat International'

Posted by:
Kevin Yates