Dutch boost for SA slalom canoeing
7 July 2008
The South African Olympic slalom canoeing squad, which is training and competing in Europe, has been buoyed by a massive sponsorship from a Dutch non-profit organisation that will help establish a permanent slalom facility in the Free State.
The Prince Claus Fund has contributed R250 000 over the next 12 months to support the fledgling Dihlabeng Slalom Club based in the Bohlokong Township outside Bethlehem. The club uses the Liebenbergsvlei and Ash rivers as its base to learn the skills involved in the Olympic discipline of slalom canoeing.
Under the watchful eye of Bethlehem-based Doctor Cameron McIntosh, the development club dovetails with plans to establish a top-flight White Water Centre close to Clarens.
Olympic participants
McIntosh has spent a decade competing internationally, and together with his C2 partner Lindelani Ngidi and C1 ace Siboniso "Master" Cele, is bound for the Olympics in Beijing in August.
"This is the single biggest international donation any canoeing club in South Africa has received to date," said a jubilant McIntosh from Augsburg in Germany, where the Lotto-backed South African trio is preparing for the World Cup competition on the famous Eiskanal course that first introduced slalom canoeing to the Olympics in 1972.
The trio will take part in the Augsburg World Cup aiming to secure semi-final places as part of their Olympic preparations.
World Cup competition
Under the guidance of their French coach Jean-Jerome Perrin, the trio has already raced in the World Cups in Tacen and Prague, while also training intensively in Europe between the competitions.
Cele has earned the respect of the international slalom community after posting a number of impressive performances which, had it not been for isolated errors resulting in two-second penalties, would have seen him secure semi-final placings.
"It is really great to see how Cele has improved. He no is no longer a development paddler. He really is now world class," coach Perrin said.
Ngidi and McIntosh also continue to improve as a C2 combination in the highly competitive international arena, with the combination of McIntosh's years of experience in a K1 and Ngidi’s athleticism resulting in an exciting crew.
'Focused'
"Sure we were disappointed not to reach the goals that we set ourselves in Tacen and Prague, but when you see the improvements, and the great news like the support from the Prince Claus Fund for the club, it is easy to stay focused," said McIntosh.
Ngidi and Cele run a daily training programme for over 30 youngsters from the Dihlabeng township and have helped turn it into the biggest nucleus of slalom paddlers in the country.
The donation from the Prince Claus Fund will be used to establish the clubhouse base which, at present consists of a single steel container, and to purchase kayaks and equipment, and provide for transport and infrastructure for the club.
'Very happy'
"I am very happy with the money from Holland," said Cele. "This comes at just the right time because the sport is growing so much.
"We want to qualify in all four classes for the London Olympics in 2012 and this donation is really going to help us.
"The slalom canoeing programme is used as a tool to get the kids off the streets and teach them life-skills such as planning, dedication, goal-setting and perseverance," said Ngidi.
"HIV/AIDS has had a major effect on some of the members' lives, with single-parent kids being common place," he added.
Source: Canoeing South Africa
