🌊 Hold onto your paddles, folks! The International Canoe Federation (ICF) just made a splash by launching its first-ever Asian headquarters in Hangzhou, China! 🏄♂️
On Wednesday, the vibrant city of Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province welcomed the ICF's representative office, aiming to promote and develop canoeing across Asia. 🌏
ICF President Thomas Konietzko couldn't hide his excitement: \"I am delighted to officially inaugurate our new Asian office in Hangzhou.\"
The new office is set to turbocharge the support for paddle sports, not just in Asia but around the world! \"Hangzhou is a modern city with a great passion for paddle sports,\" Konietzko added. \"It's the perfect location to strengthen our organization and develop our disciplines in a continent that's seeing great growth.\" 🚀
And that's not all! Hangzhou is gearing up to host its first-ever multi-discipline ICF Super Cup this October. 🏆 From October 10 to 13, the Fuyang Water Sports Center will be abuzz with elite athletes, including Olympic and world champions, competing in canoe sprint, slalom, polo, and marathon events. 🏅
Jin Chenglong, the chief representative of the ICF Hangzhou Office, shared big plans: \"We aim to integrate canoeing into universities, primary and secondary schools, enhancing the health and physical literacy of young people. The goal is to attract more youth to participate in canoeing.\" 🛶❤️
With the city's experience from hosting the 19th Asian Games and its passion for sports, Hangzhou is paddling its way to becoming an international hub for sporting events and conferences. 🏙️🌟
Get ready, Asia! The waves of change are coming, and they're more exciting than ever! 🌊🔥
Reference(s):
International Canoe Federation opens representative office in Hangzhou
cgtn.com
