Palestinian coaches cannot return to Gaza City

The PRF coaches and the administrator had gone to Seville, Spain to complete the second module of a multiple-part international training program with support from Olympic Solidarity, the International Rowing Federation (FISA), and private contributors in the United States of America through the Middle East Cultural and Charitable Society, Inc.

The male coaches and community administrator attended the first module in April 2004. After returning home in April the male coaches completed assignments and were awarded the FISA Coaching Diploma for Level I. The female coaches joined the men for the second module in November/December 2004 and will soon be awarded their Level I and continue on to Level II.

While travel for the first module went fairly smoothly, travel for the second module has been very difficult. The participants’ departure from Gaza was delayed several days due to the situation at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The return journey to Gaza has been even more difficult. Since the latter part of December 2004 the Rafah border crossing has been closed. In the meantime, the rowing program in Shaati refugee camp in the Gaza Strip continues with the PRF’s reserve coaches.

The PRF has launched an emergency appeal to raise funds to improve the general financial situation in the federation, which has been weakened considerably by the high cost of travel associated with this module (more than double the first module due to these travel issues).

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