The Singapore inquiry panel on the dragon boating tragedy in Cambodia has released its findings and recommendations. The seven-member panel found that the Singapore National Dragon Boat Team was well-trained, even though some of the rowers were new and were recruited from various associations. It found no single cause for the deaths of the five paddlers. It highlighted several contributing factors to the freak accident - the team's unfamiliarity with the race, the race site and equipment provided; low safety awareness of both the team and the organisers; and the lack of information about the event, and conditions of the Tonle Sap river. The panel made the following key recommendations to ensure that the safety of rowers is not compromised:

• Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA) and its affiliates should only take part in races that comply with the IDBF guidelines for race organisation, conduct and safety;
• SDBA and affiliates should ensure teams comply with IDBF's water safety policy and safety procedures while training; and
• SDBA and affiliates to put in place proper selection and training system to prepare for races and to set guidelnes for overseas events.

Despite the tragedy, the panel reiterated that dragon boating is a safe sport. This incident is a reminder that accidents can and do happen, even in safe sports, and safety in sports should not be something to be taken lightly.

source: The Straits Times Online

Labels: nation, rowing