International Dragon Boat President arrives in Ghana

Mike Mackeddie-Haslam, the President of International Dargon Boat Federation (IDBF) jets into Accra on Thursday night as special guest of honour for the Ghana Dragon Boat and Rafting Association’s Crew Club championship billed for Kenya in the Volta Region on Farmers Day weekend, 6-7 December.

Mr. Mackeddie-Haslam who has praised the Ghanaian Dragon Boat authorities for their leading role in the sport’s development in Africa is also expected to call on the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Madam Alice Attipoe later on Monday forenoon where he is expected to explain to Ghanaian authorities on the need to invest more in and promote the sport in this country.

Mr. Mackeddie-Haslam is particularly saddened by circumstances that led to the inability of the Black Paddlers, Ghana’s dragon boat team to make it to this year’s international tournament held in Hungary back in July due to visa denial by the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Accra.

“We were disappointed and upset with the Netherlands Embassy for not bothering to ask any question. They didn’t speak with the Ministry of Sports in Ghana or contact the government of Ghana on the issue. Not even a call to us,” he lamented in an exclusive telephone interview with Sportsinghana.com back on September 4.

“I am coming to empathise with Ghana over the disappointment by the Netherlands Embassy to refuse the team visas to Hungary. We will also like to meet with the President and the Ghanaian people to share the disappointment of the IDBF over Ghana’s absence at the championship. Ghana have been active and doing very well, we know they would have done well at the competition,” Mr. Mackeddie-Haslam told us from his UK base.

He added: “We want to talk to the Ministry and see what else we can do to help. Essentially we want to make sure it does not happen at the next world championships in Canada. We want Ghana to be there.

“I’m also coming to encourage Ghanaians to get more involved and support the local federation. I’m interested in Ghana because they have been very active and we see the country as the ideal place to head the sport in Africa.

“Senegal, Nigeria and Uganda are also doing well but Ghana is the most promising dragon boat nation in Africa looking at the tournaments that they have organised locally.”