Archive - Development
IODA News
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- DEVELOPMENT
- Topic:
- Feb 8, 2011
- Date of Publication:
IODA GRANT PROGRAMME CONTINUES
Mozambique
New optimist fleet for Mozambique
New optimist fleet for Mozambique
The Mozambique Sailing Federation, established in early 2010, has placed an order for 15 Optimists, the first in the country since independence in 1975.
While there had been earlier plans to try to restore some of these ancient boats, the real impetus came from the decision in March by the African Sailing Confederation that the Optimist would be included in the multisport All-Africa Games next September.
“ancient boats” that will be replaced by the new fleet of GRP Optimists
An introduction by ISAF vice-president Teresa Lara led IODA to write immediately to MSF president José Luis Alcantara Santos with an offer to fund three Optimists if the federation would buy 15. A favourable quotation was obtained from Chinese builder Zou Inter Marine. All felt that it was important both that potential participants in the Games had modern equipment for training and that work should start on building towards a legacy of viable fleets after the event.
Governments worldwide move slowly and delays were caused by the need to get exemption from import and other taxes. Mozambique is by no means unique in facing the situation whereby money given by the Ministry of Sport is then taken back in taxes by the Ministry of Finance! The problem was finally resolved in December and the boats should be delivered in February 2011. At that point IODA will arrange and finance a training course for local instructors.
The Federation is expecting to add to this fleet by retaining at least 25 of the Optimists which will be imported specially for use at the Games themselves. At least 12 countries are expected to participate, seven of which have received IODA grants in recent years.
IODA has several other “6 for 5” projects at the planning stage and further applications are invited from qualifying organisations see:
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- DEVELOPMENT
- Topic:
- Feb 8, 2011
- Date of Publication:
NEW MEMBER
Belize
Belize joins the Optimist family
IODA “6 for 5” programme continues
BELIZE in Central America this week placed an order for its first 26 Optimists following a story uncannily similar to the origins of the Optimist over 60 years ago in Clearwater Florida.
Back in June 2010 JonO Oliver wrote “I as sailing teacher for a group of sea scouts, have been asked to find out if a junior programme for the schools would be feasible.”
The answer from the IODA was an unequivocal YES. Under its “6 for 5” scheme Optimists could be sourced at very low cost and IODA would donate one boat for every five bought, The programme was backed by a group of local people who, just like the businessmen’s Optimist Club of Clearwater back in 1947, sought “to train these kids in the qualities that can lead them into being honest, productive and successful citizens. That apart, sailing itself teaches sportsmanship, fair play, teamwork, self reliance and other characteristics which they will need as they grow up.”
The group, led by Alan Usher who confesses that he is not even a sailor, held a series of “open days” in December which, actively publicised by the largest local newspaper, generated huge enthusiasm. As Alan reported: “Many people in Belize now know what an Opi is and just the mention bring smiles to peoples faces!” The project snowballed. Sponsors were found for first 10, then 15, then 20 boats with IODA increasing its offer to 4 free boats.
The infrastructure is being created. “JonO has signed Bz$1.00 per year lease with the City for a lovely piece of sea front on the Button Wood Bay.” and a precast concrete launching ramp has been donated. Initial training of instructors by RYA-qualified personnel from the British army base has already begun. There are two more courses scheduled in this series to bring Optimist club personnel to full certification prior to the arrival in Belize of the first batch of Optimist dinghies scheduled for mid April.
Keen volunteers all involved with the Optimist project
Optimist builder Far East, Shanghai, who are supplying these boats at ex-factory cost, will have ex-charter boats available after the IODA South Americans at Easter and Alan is already planning the next order. “We will probably have about 4 or 5 clubs in Belize City, one in Ladyville and one in Belmopan” and there is also interest from Ambergris Cay, Spanish Lookout and the northern town of Corozal.
The newly formed Belize Sailing Association has now applied to join the ISAF, one of the new countries sought by the report of its Olympic Commission which had identified Central America as one of its prime targets for expanding sailing.
IODA has several other “6 for 5” projects at the planning stage and further applications are invited from qualifying organisations see:
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- DEVELOPMENT
- Topic:
- Dec 7, 2010
- Date of Publication:
Armenia
Sixth new country joins IODA
IODA grant programme continues
ARMENIA is the sixth addition to the 100+ national membership of the International Optimist Dinghy Association in the last 18 months.
Back in April Ashot Khachatryan, Secretary General of the Armenian Sailing Federation wrote: "In a few words about sailing in Armenia. We sail basically on Lake Sevan, it is fresh water basin 70 by 30 (the widest part) km, at elevation of 1900 metres above sea level. She is really unique by it volatile weather and wind conditions and in past was always used by professionals for preparation for major events. The "fleet" is very old consisting from several Optis, a couple of 470s, maybe one 420 and a Cadet (dinghy) and Tornado. We are trying to reanimate sailing in Armenia and have some progress already."
This progress had already included participation in the "South East European Optimist Championship" which is held annually on Lake Palic in Serbia and this year attracted 71 sailors from 8 countries, 3 of them from Armenia.
ARM 509 Hovhannes Sukiasyan Photo © Jasminka Lagator
IODA immediately agreed a "6 for 5" grant towards the purchase of 12 new Optimists and builder Far East Shanghai, one of several which generously help in IODA’s development work, offered to supply at ex-factory cost. Six months later the Federation had obtained the necessary local sponsorship and it is hoped to deliver the boats early in the new year.
Armenia follows Albania, Costa Rica, Iran, Mozambique and Sudan in joining IODA recently and is the 22nd national Optimist fleet to have been created or radically regenerated in the last ten years.
IODA has several other "6 for 5" projects at the planning stage and further applications are invited from qualifying organisations see:
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