Vice President's Column

I am deeply honoured to be elected as Vice President of the ICF. This is not only a personal achievement but also a recognition of the growing importance of the movement. Together, we will work tirelessly to build a stronger future for international canoeing, welcoming all nations who wish to be part of our global community. 

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to President Konietzko for the trust he has placed in me. I am confident that by working together, we will continue to strengthen the leadership of the ICF. After being re-elected as President of the Italian Canoe and Kayak Federation last October, I am particularly proud of the renewed trust I have received from the ICF Congress. Being elected Vice President by the Congress motivates me to continue to work with passion and vision to grow our sport globally. 

I am particularly pleased that President Thomas has entrusted me with the task of coordinating and managing relations with continental associations. This role excites me, as I have always built strong relationships with these entities, and I believe this responsibility will help strengthen the bonds between different cultures and support the global development of our sport. 

Governance and Administrative Reforms: A recently established reform group will improve transparency, flexibility, and efficiency, ensuring that the ICF is structured to meet contemporary needs. 

Resource Expansion: With new offices in Budapest and plans to expand our team, we are preparing for the growing global interest in paddle sports. 

Financial Independence: We are focusing on becoming financially independent by reducing our reliance on funding from the IOC and securing new sponsors. This strategy supports our long-term sustainability and strengthens financial management. 

Innovative Initiatives: The inclusion of kayak cross in the Paris 2024 Olympics and our progress in digital engagement demonstrate the ICF's ability to remain relevant and engage the young, tech-savvy audience.

Rebranding: Our rebranding reflects the federation's commitment to broadening its vision, embracing both the environmental and recreational aspects of paddle sports, and creating a more inclusive community for all. 

Global Expansion of the Sport: While we are strong in Europe, we know that true growth occurs outside this continent. To promote this, we have hosted international competitions in Asia, America, and Oceania, including the historic first Canoe Sprint World Championships in Uzbekistan and the Dragon Boat Championships in the Philippines, which set a new participation record. These events have been crucial in raising the global profile of our sport. 

Financial Growth and Budget Management: We recognised early on that internal renewal was necessary to face future challenges. We reorganised our team, reduced costs, and reinvested in new hires. Today, we are stronger, with new offices in China and Hungary and a larger, more efficient team. Financially, we have reduced our dependency on IOC funding from 91% to 60% of our budget, almost doubling our overall budget. With the support of new sponsors, we have managed to increase investments in development activities and special projects while maintaining funding for other essential areas. 

Forecast Budget and New Investments: The budget forecast for next year projects a production value of €13,827,400 and expenses of €13,386,500, leaving a balance of €440,900. This budget reflects strategic investments for the future of paddle sports. Key initiatives include funding governance reforms, such as the Paddle Summit in China (2025) and the Congress in 2026. The budget also supports new offices in Hungary, a satellite office in China, and the Innovation Fund. The Innovation Fund will focus on enhancing competitions, optimising event management, increasing venue appeal, strengthening television visibility, and global expansion of the sport. Additionally, the roles of managers dedicated to continental development have been integrated into the budget, allowing for increased funding of continent-specific initiatives and fostering new educational programmes. Investments in digital development and new software will further support these innovations, ensuring the continued growth of our sport. 

By Luciano Buonfiglio, Vice President of the ICF