The development activities surrounding coaching and refereeing at the 2025 Asian Canoe Polo Championships in Malaysia demonstrated a clear commitment to elevating the standard of the game across the continent.
For the first time, a Level 1 International Canoe Federation Canoe Polo Coaching Course was held, along with the return of the referee course in Asia since the 2023 edition in Singapore.
The coaching course was long-awaited. Led by Mario Perez Lopez, the ICF Canoe Polo Committee recorded skills videos with athletes at the 2024 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships in Deqing, China.
A total of 25 participants attended the course from nine countries - China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Singapore.
The course touched upon basic skills, technique, tactics, video analysis, and practical drills.
Guest coach Dr Mehregan Kheirollahi from Iran, a professional exercise physiologist, assisted throughout, in particular with the topics of motor learning and physiological demands.
“For years, we have tried to move forward with coaching support, and now, finally, with Mario’s time and focus, we have it. We have been conscious throughout that different countries have different requirements to recognise coaching courses, so this is in fact a participation course rather than any formal qualification, but it does give all persons detailed basic knowledge of the discipline we all love,” ICF Canoe Polo Committee Chair Greg Smale said.
Female referees make history
Simultaneously, a total of nine participants - five women and four men - attended a referee course in Putrajaya, Malaysia, a breakthrough in Asia.
ICF Canoe Polo Committee Referee Lead Virginie Brackez stressed the need to encourage female referees at the highest level.
The aim of the International Federation is to achieve equality in refereeing without sacrificing their ability to control a game.
Cherol Fong of Singapore, Zhong Xing of China, Molaee Fatemeh of Iran, Shen Qiong of China, and Eng Ai Wen of Malaysia were among the pioneering women referees in Malaysia.
“While being asked to lead/take responsibility for referees, their standards and development with the assistance of ICF Canoe Polo Advisor Evan Kong, I have to keep in mind the ability of referees, and that includes female referees, to ensure fair games in accordance with the rules, and especially athlete safety,” Brackez said.
“To select a referee who loses control and negatively impacts any game would not move forward as the ICF motto states; it would be a backwards step.
“It took me significant personal voluntary time, but I think I’m now well regarded around the world primarily as a competent referee but also as a very good female referee. I was kindly selected recently to officiate the men’s final at The World Games Chengdu 2025, so we as women can do it!”
Kong added: “I have been given the responsibility for referees in Asia and Oceania and take this responsibility very seriously.
“In Asia, we try as hard as we can to keep the referee standards high – irrespective of being male or female.”
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