On Sunday, October 13th, Shadwell Dragons held their highly anticipated awards and appreciation ceremony at the A & H Plaza, Beckton Retail Park, celebrating a year of remarkable success and growth in the world of dragon boat racing.

Held in the presence of club members, esteemed guests, and several British Dragon Boat Association (BDA) officials, the event was a resounding success, marking another milestone for the club.

Hosted by Abjal Miah, he highlighted this Shadwell-based team’s incredible journey of more than 30 years, with their ups and downs until in recent years, they were able to galvanise a strong men’s team and be triumphant at most of the charity tournaments up and down the country.

In the audience were representatives from the British Dragon Boat Association (BDA), namely Peter Li, Paul Costa, and Mike and Sue Thomas, who have been instrumental in mentoring, coaching and supporting the club for more than 3 decades.

Also in the audience were reps from Alnoor Foundation Boat Race, Sonali Othith, Gifts of Knowledge, and their sponsors Food Bazar and Wahy.

The event opened with the showcasing of their new T-shirts, sponsored by Food Bazar, and modelled by Enamul Goni and Abdul Kalam.

Congratulations were extended to all the nominees, with a huge round of applause for the winners across various categories and special awards. This year’s event saw an extra touch of significance with the introduction of new award categories, recognising the incredible achievements and contributions of both junior and senior members.

Many of the members and managers took to the stage to express their gratitude to the club’s management, the sponsors and the behind-the-scenes operatives such as the BDA. There was lots of energy and passion in this group, and it seems like they’re here to stay on top form for a long time.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mike Thomas, current President of BDA (British Dragon Boat Association), in recognition of his unwavering support for Shadwell Dragons and his role in assisting the founder members when the club was originally formed in the 1990s. Mike Thomas has been a pillar of strength for the club and the wider dragon boating community, and his contributions were honoured with heartfelt appreciation.

Special thanks were extended to the 2024 team sponsors, Food Bazaar and Wahy London whose support has been instrumental in the club’s continued growth and success. Their commitment to fostering community sports has allowed Shadwell Dragons to expand their reach and impact. Aklu Miah attended and commented that he is proud of the team’s rapid progress this year and would encourage Shadwell Dragons to hold their own Dragon Boat competition in the future.

This race season has been a defining one for Shadwell Dragons, with notable performances across local and national competitions. The club has seen impressive growth in membership, including the formation of a dedicated junior’s team and an all-female team, with participants ranging from as young as 11 years old to senior members in their 60s who continue to paddle for both fitness and fun.

A club representative shared the spirit of Shadwell Dragons during the ceremony:

“We win together, and we lose together—either way, we keep learning and growing as a family. That’s what makes this club so unique; we are a family now in the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood.

“We look forward to working closely with more event organisers such as the annual Al Noor Foundation Race & the Gift of Knowledge Charity Boat Race to help train more teams and make it even more competitive. The future of Shadwell Dragons is brighter than ever, with plans to further expand community involvement and continue building a legacy that impacts future generations. The club warmly welcomes new members and invites anyone interested in joining to get involved.”

For more details on the club’s achievements, and future plans, or to inquire about membership, please visit the official website at shadwelldragons.com. Media inquiries should be directed to Aminul: shadwelldragons@gmail.com.

About Shadwell Dragons:

Shadwell Dragons is a dragon boat racing club based in London that represents the Muslim and Bengali communities. With a rich history dating back to the 1990s, the club competes at local and national levels, promoting teamwork, fitness, and community spirit. Contact: Shadwell Dragons Club: info@shadwelldragons.com.

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