Let's hope this gets worked out in time.


"An international dragon boat championship scheduled to be held in Penang later this year is on the line.

This is because the Tourism Ministry has yet to release a RM1 million allocation it pledged for the sixth international dragon boat federation club crew world championship (CCWC) event.

The pledge was made by the ministry two years ago.

With time running out, the organisers have only managed to source RM200,000 so far."


http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/NewsBreak/20080414161716/Article/index_html

I've booked my flights already. I'm prepared to just have a vacation in Malaysia and Vietnam, and not have any racing, but it will still be disappointing if the racing doesn't happen.

These stunts are typical by organizers trying to squeeze money out of governments.

Toronto pulled the same BS.

Word has it some teams going for Canada are still adding paddlers to go. Hope the rosters submitted to DBC look like the rosters going to Malaysia.

Sounds like a G&G type move.

Can Chloe clarify this article? I'm sure there are numerous people wondering the same thing. If we have all committed, Dragon Boat Canada should be getting answers for all these members.
Thanks

According to DBC, Penang is a go.

Can DBC confirm that other countries are actually participating? It's coming down to the crunch - people have to pony up $$ for flights soon. Can DBC guarantee that there will be a competitive field? Surely they should know who's registered so far.

Follow link to list of teams registered.
22 countries, 159 teams so far.
http://www.penangdragonboat.com/ccwc-entriesupdates-2008.htm

I don't think that list is accurate, at least not with respect to Canada. Of the 50 Canadian teams who qualified, only 20 are still planning on going to Penang.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/NewsBreak/20080423175048/Article/index_html


"The Tourism Ministry has denied allocating RM1 million for the International Dragon Boat Competition, scheduled to be held in Penang from July 31 to Aug 4.

The ministry, in a press statement, said no such commitment had been made to the Penang state government except for the half a million sponsorship pledge."

The articles appearing in the Malaysian Press about funding for the CCWC are pure 'politics'. The Championships will be staged as planned. This is all about how much money the event will finally receive from the Federal Government not about the financial viability of the event - which is sound.

The articles in the press followed the recent elections in Malaysia where the party that controls the Federal Government is no longer the Party that is in power in Penang Province.

So this is an example of the new local government putting pressure on the national Government to come up with the promised funds quickly. We had exactly the same situation in Toronto before the 2006 CCWC when pressure was applied through the press, to get the Federal money promised for the CCWC Regatta Course.

My advice to Canadian paddlers is to concentrate on your Dragon Boating and put newspaper reports of this kind where they belong - in the trash can !

Because Canada - you are sending almost 30% of the teams to Penang.
And, if you don't go - then the whole Event will be a flop.
So please please go.....

And move your body..just like an insect!

You are right. Canadians, hurry up and get booked to get over there so you can race each other in another Country. Sounds fun, can I still sign up to go. I am sure I can find a way.

anus maximus

You are right. Canadians, hurry up and get booked to get over there so you can race each other in another Country. Sounds fun, can I still sign up to go. I am sure I can find a way.


_____________________________

That is funny.

1. Madawaska Dragons
2. Wongs Dragonslayers
3. Scherwin UHU

i m penangite the race is on

That list had some crazy countries sending teams. Iran, India, UAE. It would be great if all those countries do send teams, always good to have the sport growing.

But Iran? They tested ballistic missiles today ...

They've been sending a women's team to asian games recently. Kind of funky seeing the ladies paddling in the full head garb (hijab it's called, I think). They had this in DBW or something.

<<But Iran? They tested ballistic missiles today ...>>

Like the U.S. has never tested a missile or two?

ya but Iran's leader is completely insane and wants to destroy Israel.
Women have no power in Iran so that does seem odd. Especially to see them paddling in hijabs.
That would be picture worthy, but those things must slow them down.

"Iran's leader is completely insane"

... and the U.S.'s leader??

is just a stupid ass

hey Barrack Obama will be in charge soon and he is a sensible guy

Suuurre he is...

"President McCain".

Get used to it, liberal wankers.

There's no way McCain wins. Americans can't be that stupid.

They were stupid enough to elect Bush and nominate Obama, so anything is possible.

"ya but Iran's leader is completely insane and wants to destroy Israel."

I've heard this over and over. Why don't you QUOTE what he said?

If McCain wins, will he still make superfries in his spare time?

hilary clinton should've won... at least she has a solid plan

Look for the Czech teams to do well in Penang. Just saw Moravian Open this weekend in Budapest. They were sizzling! 41.28 on the 200m and 9.17.50 on the 2000m (with 7 turns - not an IDBF standard course, but fun to watch with all the turns). I heard that Nymburk is also going. They also have a tendency to kick butt in Europe.

I think it was Bill who had the 'solid' plan.
I think he gave it to Monica.

finally race will be held on 31 to 3 aug 2008 so wellcome to penang and dont forget to bring umbrella cos rainy season

There are a huge number of teams entered in the Premier mixed in Penang, should be great racing.

is it raining every day in penang?

At this time of the year, Penang has scattered thunderstorms. It's hit or miss. But it's so warm there that the rain is not so bad when it does happen.

We have 43 teams there?!

Wow it will seem like half the people there will be Canadians EH!

If we have 43 teams going to Penang, why couldn't we afford to send our 20 top premier paddlers to Sydney???

Cuz all 43 teams paid for themselves.

Dumbass

Canadian teams will get weaker as the cost of Dragon Boating increases. When was the last time Sundin paid to play hockey? All these crazy Canadians, is what they are rushing over to race themselves. Think of all the money they could have saved.

Saved? I think most people use the worlds as a vacation that they probably would have taken anyways.

I'm not sure anyone is really saving big dollars, but just moving their annual trip to the location of the races. At least that is what I would do.

<<
Cuz all 43 teams paid for themselves.

Dumbass>>


Hey genius. If 43 TEAMS can pay their own way to Penang, why couldn't 20 top INDIVIDUAL paddlers find a way to get to Sydney?

Why are you so biter about the performance of the teams that went to Sydney that after a year you're still bitching why this so called best crew did not go? What do you hope to accomplish by saying something like that besides the obvious which is to make yourself look like a fool!

"Hey genius. If 43 TEAMS can pay their own way to Penang, why couldn't 20 top INDIVIDUAL paddlers find a way to get to Sydney?"

Well I'm not the genius that called you a dumbazz. But I'm guessing the those so called 20 top paddlers did not feel like spending their OWN money for Sydney. Whereas the people on these 43 teams think its WORTH their time and money.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong , but I believe FCRCC and the Beasts last year both qualified for Penang but declined to go. Again a case of certain teams/paddlers chose not to spend their time/money in Penang just like the 20 paddlers that chose to not go to Sydney. Its really as simple as that.

As well I believe some of the people that are going to penang are extending their vacation beyond malaysia and so they probably feel its worth their money by visiting all other countries close by.