A Canoe Sprint venue is being created in the heart of an historic region in Kazakhstan with the aim of developing paddle sports across the country.
The course will be in Turkestan in the south of the Central Asian nation and will be able to host Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe competitions as well as rowing and Para rowing events.
It is expected to be fully completed by the end of the year.
Denis Zharmenov, Chair of the Rowing and Sailing Association of the Turkestan Region, was in Szeged, Hungary last week to discuss plans to develop paddle sports in Kazakhstan with International Canoe Federation President Thomas Konietzko.
He also held a meeting with John Edwards, Chair of the ICF Paracanoe Committee.
“With my team, we are putting in an enormous effort to develop paddle sports in Kazakhstan,” said Mr Zharmenov.
“In 2020, I persuaded the local authority of our region to start building a new course from scratch.
“It’s crystal clear that without such a venue we cannot develop paddle sports to the level we are aiming for.
“The course is close to being finished now and it will be built to all the international requirements.
“It will be very unique as it has been built in the centre of the city.
“To keep the water inside of the course fresh and clean we are using the same system used for any swimming pool to purify it.
“We are at a stage now where we are building the boat houses, judging towers and spectator areas.
“It’s an exciting project.
“Mr Konietzko and Mr Edwards have both been a great source of support.
“Whenever we have needed help or guidance when it comes to building the venue or developing paddle sports, they have always been there to help us.”
The venue will stage its first Paracanoe competition from September 16 to 19 when it plays host to the Open Cup of Kazakhstan.
Mr Zharmenov says he hopes to attract international athletes to the event which will take place after the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
“I would like to ensure that there will be many competitions held at this course in the future,” added Mr Zharmenov.
“In September, we are organising a Paracanoe competition, called the Open Cup of Kazakhstan, with representation from other countries.
“Kazakhstan is the ninth biggest country in the world when it comes to scale, and this will be our only international Canoe Sprint course.
“Turkestan is unofficially considered the spiritual capital of Kazakhstan and we have so many ancient buildings here.
“The Canoe Sprint course is conveniently located.
“It is a stone’s throw away from the airport and when it comes to accommodation and food, we are not going to have any problem as the venue is located in the centre of the city where there are so many hotels and restaurants.”
Canoe Federation of Kazakhstan General Secretary Zhassulan Taitenov said a new course would be a big boost for the country.
"A sports facility for sprint canoeing in Turkestan will give positive dynamics to the development of Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe," said Mr Taitenov.
"The federation is looking forward to the opening and launch of this sports facility.
"With the support of the ICF and the Asian Canoe Confederation, this sports facility will expand our geography of international competitions and raise the prestigue of the general Canoe Sprint family to a new level in the region."
The ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships will take place in Central Asia for the first time when Samarkand, Uzbekistan plays host later this year.
The event featuring only non-Olympic disciplines will be held from August 23 to 25 – just two weeks after the staging of the Canoe Sprint competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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