NEWS RELEASE (#2025-10)
IDBF President Strengthens International Ties During Bahamas Mission
Nassau, The Bahamas — The International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) has marked an important milestone in its global journey with the official visit of IDBF President Claudio Schermi to The Bahamas. The mission, held in close collaboration with the Bahamas Dragon Boat Federation, focused on strengthening partnerships, expanding the sport, and creating new opportunities for the dragon boat community across the region.
During his visit, President Schermi, together with Meri Gibson, President of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission (IBCPC), John Bostwick II, and Kay Kay Tong, President of the Bahamas Dragon Boat Federation, met with key national and international stakeholders, including:
- Mario Keith Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture of The Bahamas, to discuss opportunities for youth and sports development.
- Zhang Hongliang, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in The Bahamas, to foster cooperation with the Chinese community and accelerate dragon boat development, with special emphasis on Breast Cancer Paddlers and international events.
- Permanent Secretary Lisa Anderson and Director General Latia Duncombe at the Ministry of Tourism, to explore the economic and social benefits of dragon boat events, particularly their role in sport tourism and community engagement.
- The Bahamas Olympic Committee leadership, including President Romell Knowles, Vice Presidents D’Arcy Rahming and Roy Colebrook, and Secretary General Derron Donaldson, to celebrate the achievements of the Bahamas Dragon Boat Federation and explore the creation of a permanent base for dragon boat in the country.
The visit concluded with an informal meeting with Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis, reaffirming The Bahamas’ role as a vibrant new partner in the global dragon boat movement.
“Dragon boat is more than a sport — it is a bridge between cultures, communities, and opportunities,” said President Schermi. “The Bahamas has shown extraordinary commitment and vision, and together we are opening a new chapter for the growth of dragon boat in the Caribbean and beyond.”
Echoing this commitment, Kay Kay Tong, President of the Bahamas Dragon Boat Federation, and Vice President John Bostwick II highlighted how the week’s meetings with the Bahamas Olympic Committee, government leaders, and tourism partners underscored the nation’s readiness to embrace dragon boating. “These milestones mark the beginning of The Bahamas stepping forward as a central hub for dragon boating in the Americas,” they affirmed.
For the IBCPC, the visit also represented the continuation of a journey that began in 2022. “IBCPC is delighted to have played such a meaningful role in the growth of dragon boat paddling in The Bahamas,” said Meri Gibson. “We first brought an outreach clinic here to introduce the health and wellbeing benefits of paddling, particularly for the medical community, even before the first boats had arrived. The Americas are a strategic region for breast cancer paddling, with half of our global teams based here, and with the high incidence of breast cancer in the Caribbean, this development is especially significant.”
With this successful mission, IDBF continues to strengthen its international presence, support member federations, empower Breast Cancer Paddlers, and build sustainable pathways for the future growth of dragon boat worldwide.
About the IDBF
The International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) is the global governing body for dragon boat racing. Founded in 1991, it oversees and promotes the sport of dragon boat paddling across the world. With a mission to foster unity, friendship, and fair competition, the IDBF organises multiple international world championships, sets rules and standards for dragon boat racing and equipment, and has a membership base of over 80 national federations.