International Dragon Boat President coming to Ghana

Mike Mackeddie-Haslam, President of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) says the global body are so disappointed by the absence of Ghana at the recent world championships which took place in Hungary and is personally coming down to Accra to stress the significance of the sport and the need for the support by government and inhabitants.

Despite several months of training, preparation and camping, the Black Dragons, the national dragon boat team were denied participation at the recent IDBF world tournament in Hungary following the visa refusal by the Netherlands Embassy in Accra. The disappointment was felt all the way at the very top of international dragon boat, why the chief is coming down to this country to help establish the essence and significance of the water sport.

“We were disappointed, very annoyed because the Netherlands Embassy didn’t bother to ask any questions. They didn’t speak to the Ministry, they didn’t contact the government, they didn’t even call call us. They spoke to nobody. Ghana have been active and doing very well, we know they would have done well at the competition,” Mr. Mackeddie-Haslam told www.sportsinghana.com exclusively from his UK base.

The IDBF boss who will supervise a 2-day club crew championship at Keta in the Volta Region on 6-7 December featuring over 30 clubs, hopes to meet the crème-de-la-crème of Ghanaian sports administration and even President Mahama to stress how huge an economic, tourism and sporting benefits dragon boat sport can bring to the country.

“I am coming to empathise with Ghana over the disappointment of Netherlands Embassy refusing the team visas to Hungary. We will also like to meet with the President and popele to share the disappointment of the IDBF over Ghana’s absence at the championship,” Mike Mackeddie-Haslam explained.

The IBDF chief added: “We want to talk to the Ministry and government and see what else we can do to help. Essentially we want to make sure that the same thing will not happen for the next world championships which will be in Canada. We want the Ghana team to be there.”

Mr. Mackeddie-Haslam continued to www.sportsinghana.com: “I’m also coming to encourage Ghanaians to get more involved and support the Ghana federation. I’m interested in Ghana because they have been very active and we see we see them as the ideal place to head the sport in Africa.

“Senegal, Nigeria and Uganda are also doing well but Ghana are the most promising dragon boat nation in Africa looking at the tournaments that Ghana have organized locally and also preparing a team for the world championships.”