Thomas Konietzko has been re-elected as President of the International Canoe Federation, vowing to ensure the global governing body for paddle sports is “fit for the future” with a comprehensive organisational review.
Mr Konietzko of Germany, who has led the ICF since 2021, stood unopposed at the elections held on the second day of the organisation's Congress in Antalya, Turkiye as he secured a second term at the helm, running to 2028.
There will be continuity in leadership for the next four years at the ICF with Spain’s Lluis Rabaneda i Caselles, Argentina’s Cecilia Farias and Italy’s Luciano Buonfiglio remaining as Vice Presidents.
Mr Rabaneda and Dr Farias were both re-elected while Mr Buonfiglio, who had been Acting Vice President alongside his duties as ICF Treasurer, will now take on the role full-time following his election in Antalya.
The election came after the Congress approved the ICF’s Fit for Future Evolution strategy that will see the organisation undergo a comprehensive organisational review over the next two years.
The ICF also announced yesterday that that it will establish its headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, following overwhelming support at its Congress.
“I see myself as a team player here, and I am very proud and happy that you have placed your trust in me and my team,” said Mr Konietzko in his re-election speech after receiving 87 of the 88 votes.
“My newly elected team and I can now devote our full attention to shaping the next four years.
“While we have had our sights set on our structure and finances for the past three years, the next four years will be important for discussing our future strategy.
“They will be dedicated to a thorough review of our organisational structure and procedures, and we want to discuss everything to make our Federation, including its rules and processes, fit for the future.
“We want to start a comprehensive organisational reform review. I call on all of you to get involved and participate here.
“That is why I will propose to the Board tomorrow that we start this process promptly, leave no stone unturned and discuss all the matters that are important for our future without any taboos.”
China’s Li Xin has become the new ICF Treasurer after coming out on top in a three-way battle for the position.
Mr Xin overcame Hungary’s Peter Karai after three rounds of voting, winning by 47 votes to 34, while Turkey’s Alper Cavit Kabakci was out of the running after the first round.
Australia’s Richard Fox has been elected as the new Chair of the ICF Canoe Slalom Committee after standing unopposed.
The multiple world champion succeeds France’s Jean-Michel Prono who has departed after 20 years in the role.
Canoe Ocean Racing and Stand Up Paddling were the only two ICF Standing Committees where there were challenges for Chair.
Belgium’s Marian Sarbu defeated South Africa’s Colin Simpkins by 54 votes to 31 to become the new Chair of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee, while Hungary’s Noemi Horvath has retained the role of Chair of the ICF SUP Committee after beating Moldova’s Martin Marinov by 58 votes to 28.
For the first time, the elected SUP Chair will subsequently hold a seat on the Board as the Commission will become a Committee following the Congress, due to the successful development of the sport and an increase in the number of National Federations participating in its World Championships.
The elections for the other Standing Committee Chairs were unchallenged with Germany’s Manuela Gawehn in Wildwater Canoeing, Canda’s John Edwards in Paracanoe, Japan’s Toshi Furuya in Canoe Sprint, Great Britain’s Greg Smale in Canoe Polo, Great Britain’s Terry Best in Canoe Freestyle and The Netherlands’ Ruud Heijselaar in Canoe Marathon all re-elected.
Great Britain’s Jane Gibson has been elected as Chair of the ICF Medical and Anti-Doping Committee having taken on the role on an interim basis.
All those elected at the Congress serve a four-year term from November 2024 to 2028.
Committee members will be appointed by the ICF Board of Directors at a meeting on Saturday.
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