Hangzhou, China, March 18, 2025: The International Canoe Federation has opened its first-ever Excellence Centre in Hangzhou, China.
A key initiative of the federation's “Fit For Future Evolution” strategy, the centre will be based at the Fuyang Water Sports Centre.
The state-of-the-art facility hosted the first-ever multi-discipline ICF Hangzhou Super Cup last year and builds on the legacy of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
ICF President Mr Thomas Konietzko and the Hangzhou Sports Bureau unveiled a plaque to celebrate the announcement at the ICF Paddle Summit in the Chinese city.
The ICF Hangzhou Excellence Centre is the first of many such projects that are to be established across continents, aimed at growing paddle sports locally, regionally and internationally.
“The ICF Hangzhou Excellence Centre is our next chapter in what has already been a fruitful partnership with this beautiful city,” ICF President Mr Thomas Konietzko said.
“The first of many, this is an important step for our development activities moving forward as we look to give athletes and coaches the best training and education.
“I am sure the excellence centre in Hangzhou will help make paddle sports more popular in China and in the region by engaging the youth and have benefits internationally, nationally and, most importantly, regionally.” (ICF)