Second Shipment of Boats Put to the Water in Senegal

17 athletes and coaches participated in the five-day course

Ten brand new rowing boats (singles and doubles) were rigged and put to the waters in the island city of Saint Louis, Senegal under the watchful eye of Michel Doutre, FISA Development Consultant for Rowing in French Speaking Africa.

The boats, purchased by FISA from the Flying Eagle factory in China as part of the FISA Development Programme, arrived in Senegal in late July and will be used to further establish rowing in the western African country. A first shipment of 15 boats donated by Stämpfli Racing Boats of Zurich had been received by the Senegal Rowing Federation in the summer of 2002.

The Senegalese Federation organized an athlete and coaches training course during Doutre’s stay that allowed the rowers to focus on their rigging, boat handling skills and technique. 17 athletes and coaches participated in the five-day course.

FISA’s Development Programme aims to increase the universality of rowing worldwide and operates several boat donation programmes around the world. In addition to Senegal, Kenya, Nigeria and Cameroon have been targeted by the Programme to receive development assistance.

As a result of the Programme, athletes from these countries will hopefully be participating in the 2004 African Qualification Regatta in Tunisia in the hope of qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.