The International Canoe Federation and European Canoe Association have issued a joint call for further support to help long-suffering Ukrainian paddlers.
ICF President Thomas Konietzko made the appeal to National Federations in Europe to donate boats to Ukraine during his visit to the Ukrainian Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint National Championships in Uman on Saturday.
Mr Konietzko met with the leadership of the Ukrainian Canoe Federation, city governors of Uman, as well as other representatives of paddle sports in Ukraine.
Since the outbreak of the war, the ICF, ECA and many National Federations and organisers of canoeing events have provided both financial assistance and material support through numerous activities.
This support has ensured that Ukrainian athletes could participate in all major competitions over the past three years, including last year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Mr Konietzko has reiterated the ICF’s unwavering support for Ukrainian athletes and hailed their outstanding achievements to compete during these difficult times for their country.
Numerous sports facilities, including three boathouses, have been either partially or completely destroyed by missile attacks.
The equipment stored in these boathouses are no longer usable, making it difficult for young Ukrainian athletes to train.
Mr Konietzko is therefore calling on all National Federations in Europe to check whether their boathouses have any boats in good condition that are no longer in regular use and could be donated to Ukrainian athletes.
This donation would help to improve the situation of young paddlers in Ukraine, enabling them to live as normal a life as possible in times of war.
“I believe in the collective strength of the international canoeing family to help Ukrainian paddlers in these difficult times,” said Mr Konietzko.
“Sport can be a sign of hope for young people and encourage them to believe in a peaceful future.
“Donating boats will deliver another message of hope and help Ukrainian athletes to continue to shine on the international stage.
“The ICF will continue to support the Ukrainian Canoe Federation, its athletes and officials as we stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian friends.”
ECA President Jean Zoungrana said: “The ECA would like to join the ICF in calling on all our National Federations to support this initiative.
“It is crucial that we replace the boats that were destroyed in the missile strikes to ensure Ukrainian athletes can continue to train and compete.
“The ECA and the whole European canoeing community remains committed to supporting Ukraine during these difficult times.”
National Federations are being asked to support this initiative by reporting any used boats and their locations in an email to guang.yang@canoeicf.sport.
The ICF will coordinate the delivery of the boats together with the Ukrainian Canoe Federation.
