In Milan last summer at the 2003
FISA World Championships,
athletes from 65 countries were
entered to compete and of those
countries 10 were from Asia.
Currently, Asian athletes from China and
Japan have qualified for the Olympic
Games, but many places still remain.
More athletes are expected to qualify from
at least 5 Asian countries in April at the
Asian Qualification Regatta in Shanghai,
China. Crews from over 15 nations will be
contending for these qualification spots
and the competition is expected to be
intense. Although some Asian athletes are
able to compete in ‘heavyweight’
categories in sculling, many Asian single
scullers are of smaller stature and
normally dominate continental and
regional games in the lightweight events.
Photo: © Chris Perry
Vu Dang Tuan, Vietnam. Winner of the Open and Lightweight
Single at 2003 SEA Games 2003 / Vu Dang Tuan, Viêt-nam.
Vainqueur du skiff poids lourds et poids légers lors des Jeux du
sud-est asiatique 2003
The strong presence of Asian athletes in
Athens is representative of the progress
that has been made in the sport of rowing
during recent years and the dedication of
the Asian Rowing Federation, the South
East Asian Rowing Federation and many
individuals working and volunteering
with the sport throughout the continent.
Asia will be playing an even bigger role
in the Olympic movement with the lead
up to the Beijing Olympics in 2008. With
the 2005 FISA World Championships in
Gifu, Japan, next year, preparations are
already well under way. Importantly,
Asian rowers will have a chance to show
their strength in front of local crowds.
Regional events also play a very
important role in Asian rowing
development. Since 1982, the Olympic
Council of Asia has included rowing in
the Asian Games. The Games are
showing a constant increase in the
number of countries participating in
rowing as well as in the level of
performance attained. Seventeen
nations sent crews to the rowing event
in Korea in 2002, compared to seven
in 1982.
The East Asian Games (2005 Macao),
South East Asian Games (2005
Philippines) are also significant and
highly competitive events in the Asian
rowing calendar.
FISA, alongside the Asian Rowing
Federation and South East Asian Rowing
Federation, are working with National
Federations to prepare teams and venues
for events. Of the 47 countries and
protectorates which make up Asia, 28 are
members of FISA.
Specific projects have been taking place
with FISA member countries in:
Palestine: They have received approval
from Olympic Solidarity to provide
coaching modules lasting two months for
a group of four coaches at the FISA
Training Centre in Seville, Spain. A
FISA Coaching consultant will guide
them through the Level I and Level II
Coaching Education manuals along with
administrative instruction and a pilot
programme from the International
Labour Organization called the Youth
Sport Protection Programme – a project
aimed at providing skill training through
sport for coaches and athletes.
Inaugural national ergometer
championships were held in November
2003, and the Federation was able to
purchase coastal boats through
fundraising efforts.
Palestine is also preparing an athlete to
participate at the 2004 Asian Olympic
Qualification Regatta.
Lebanon: Boats have been donated by
FISA to the Lebanon Rowing Federation
and they are building a new training centre
as well as preparing an athlete for the 2004
Asian Olympic Qualification Regatta.
Law Hiu Fung (Hong Kong): bronze medallist at World U23
Regatta (Belgrade 2003) / Law Hiu Fung (Hong Kong),
médaillé de bronze à la Régate Mondiale des moins de 23
ans (Belgrade 2003)
Iraq: Have recreated their rowing and
canoe federation and are in the process
of preparing athletes who will participate
in the 2004 Pan Arabic Games in Algeria
this September.
Pakistan: Hosted a Level II Olympic
Solidarity Coaching Course directed by
Drew Harrison and are preparing a team
for the 2004 Asian Olympic
Qualification Regatta.
Macao: Will host the 2005 East Asian
Games and are busy preparing for this
event.
Vietnam: Has managed to develop a
successful national rowing squad. At the
2003 South East Asian (SEA) Games in
Hanoi, Vietnam was very strong at this
event as well as at the Asian
Championships. Crews will be sent to
the 2004 Asian Olympic Qualification
Regatta.
Philippines: Has just been nominated
to host the 2005 SEA Games in Manila
and now working to properly prepare and
develop their teams for this event and
future competitions.
Qatar: The host country for the 2006
Asian Games will be preparing crews,
coaches, officials and the regatta course
for this important event.
Malaysia: Discussions have been taking
place to target Malaysia for development
of its athletes. The country already has
strong infrastructure for rowing.
The future for Asian rowing is very
positive and it is likely that Asian crews
will be making themselves better known
locally and, more importantly, hitting the
headlines internationally.
