2008 Istanbul Dragon Fesitivali, Golden Horn, 30/31 May 2009.
It is with pleasure that I write these words of congratulations from the International Dragon Boat Federation - IDBF, to the organisers of the 2nd Istanbul Dragon Festival. Whilst there has been some Dragon Boat Racing in Turkey over the past few years, it is the enthusiasm and vision shown by Hakan Yavuz and his Team, in staging the Istanbul Dragon Festivali, that has introduced the sport to a wider and much bigger audience of sports enthusiasts and as a result the IDBF has been happy to welcome the Dragon Festivali as an IDBF Affiliated Dragon Boat Festival .
Dragon Boat Racing has a history stretching back more than 2000 years to Sounthern China. Through the IDBF and now the Istanbul Dragon Festivali, the culture of the Dragon Boat has spread to over 60 Countries worldwide, including Turkey, with World Championships and Continental Championships held regularly around the globe since 1995.
One of these championships is the IDBF World Corporate & Community Championships – Wcorcom, which is designed for the 'weekend warriors' from businesses and the community at large to take part in and for which crews from the Istanbul Dragon Festivali are ideally suited and can take part in. Dragon Boar Racing as well as being a great social sport, is also good for the general health of the competitors and is a sport that can bring benefits to the whole community, through working together as a Team with a common objective.
The 2nd Istanbul Dragon Festival on 31 May 2009, in the Golden Horn, will be a much bigger and better event than previously, with more supporting events staged to attract tourists to the competition site and to give them fun and excitement as well as great Dragon Boat Racing to watch.
The Istanbul Festival will also be out to attract International crews too in 2009, as for them the thought of racing dragon boats in the Golden Horn, against the back drop of Istanbul, with its great depth of culture and history to explore, is a wonderful attraction to them, as both competitors and tourists.
I am sure therefore that the 2009 Istanbul Dragon Festivali will be a resounding success and I wish the organisers and the competing crews every success, as well as the hope of meeting with them during the event itself.
In friendship and sport,
Mike Haslam
IDBF Executive President
It is with pleasure that I write these words of congratulations from the International Dragon Boat Federation - IDBF, to the organisers of the 2nd Istanbul Dragon Festival. Whilst there has been some Dragon Boat Racing in Turkey over the past few years, it is the enthusiasm and vision shown by Hakan Yavuz and his Team, in staging the Istanbul Dragon Festivali, that has introduced the sport to a wider and much bigger audience of sports enthusiasts and as a result the IDBF has been happy to welcome the Dragon Festivali as an IDBF Affiliated Dragon Boat Festival .
Dragon Boat Racing has a history stretching back more than 2000 years to Sounthern China. Through the IDBF and now the Istanbul Dragon Festivali, the culture of the Dragon Boat has spread to over 60 Countries worldwide, including Turkey, with World Championships and Continental Championships held regularly around the globe since 1995.
One of these championships is the IDBF World Corporate & Community Championships – Wcorcom, which is designed for the 'weekend warriors' from businesses and the community at large to take part in and for which crews from the Istanbul Dragon Festivali are ideally suited and can take part in. Dragon Boar Racing as well as being a great social sport, is also good for the general health of the competitors and is a sport that can bring benefits to the whole community, through working together as a Team with a common objective.
The 2nd Istanbul Dragon Festival on 31 May 2009, in the Golden Horn, will be a much bigger and better event than previously, with more supporting events staged to attract tourists to the competition site and to give them fun and excitement as well as great Dragon Boat Racing to watch.
The Istanbul Festival will also be out to attract International crews too in 2009, as for them the thought of racing dragon boats in the Golden Horn, against the back drop of Istanbul, with its great depth of culture and history to explore, is a wonderful attraction to them, as both competitors and tourists.
I am sure therefore that the 2009 Istanbul Dragon Festivali will be a resounding success and I wish the organisers and the competing crews every success, as well as the hope of meeting with them during the event itself.
In friendship and sport,
Mike Haslam
IDBF Executive President
