South East Asian Games 2003: Rowing Included

Eight lightweight events will be raced at the 2003 SEA Games

Organizers have officially confirmed the inclusion of rowing, amongst 32 sports, for the South East Asian Games which will be held in Vietnam in December next year. A total of eight events will be offered with single, double, pair and coxless four, for both men and women in the lightweight category only. The decision, taken by the South East Asian Sports Federation at its meeting in Hanoi last week, is an important boost for development in the region.

With the assistance of FISA’s Development Programme, rowing in South East Asia has flourished in recent years. Participation in the sport has increased significantly and, equally important, levels of performance are also beginning to rise. This was demonstrated at the recent Asian Games in Korea by the excellent results of crews from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.

SEA Games host Vietnam has also been actively involved in the Development Programme since 1992, when FISA provided equipment from it’s boat collection programme and technical support to re-establish rowing in the country. Vietnamese crews have competed at the previous Games in 1997 and 2001, and Prof. Hoang Vinh Giang, head of Vietnam’s Olympic Committee and President of the SEA Rowing Federation, is hoping his crews will be able to challenge for medals this time.

To help prepare for its role in hosting the rowing competitions in 2003, the Vietnam Rowing Federation will hold the South East Asian Rowing Championships in Hanoi this December. Prior to this, FISA will assist in organizing a training camp for athletes from around the region and a seminar for local umpires. Australian boat builder Alan Phillips and Hong Kong based coach Eric Carter have also assisted by repairing old boats and helping the Vietnamese squad with their training.

Maintaining the status of rowing as a core sport in major regional Games is a key objective for FISA and the importance of lightweight events in achieving this was clearly demonstrated on this occasion. With the vast majority of athletes in South East Asia falling under lightweight limits, the organizers decision only to offer events in this category must be taken as an important sign.