The Asian paddle sport community has significantly increased its efforts to add to the number of International Technical Officials (ITOs), with Stand-Up Paddling being the latest discipline to benefit.
The ITO seminar led by ICF SUP Committee Chair Noemi Horvath saw a total of 30 participants successfully receive their diplomas.
Officials from Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, and the Philippines passed their examinations over the weekend.
This marks another important step in the development pathway for SUP in Asia, following a pilot coaching course at the 2025 ICF SUP World Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in October.
The SUP ITO seminar highlighted the coming together of ICF disciplines yet again, with many of them already being an ITO in Canoe Ocean Racing and Dragon Boat.
This was the third SUP ITO Seminar in Asia, following the successful first edition in Thailand in 2023, when Pattaya hosted the World Championships and the second edition in Abu Dhabi in 2024.
“The ITO seminar in Hong Kong was a huge success. What I found most impressive was the enthusiasm of all participants in learning the rules of the discipline,” Horvath said.
“This is a huge step to promote SUP in Asia, as we really want to bring more events to the continent.
“We know the importance of good ITOs to ensure fair judging, and that is why this is crucial. I want to thank the participants and the Hong Kong Canoe Union for all their support.”
The seminar formed part of wider celebrations in Hong Kong as the Hong Kong China Canoe Union celebrated its 50th anniversary last week by organising the Asian Championships in Canoe Marathon and SUP.
Along with Horvath, the anniversary celebrations were attended by ICF President Thomas Konietzko, ICF Dragon Boat Committee Chair Dr. Wai-Hung Luk, Hong Kong China Canoe Union President and Secretary General Lau Chung Ming, and Wu Pak Cheung, respectively.
The National Federation was registered in 1975 and became a member of the Hong Kong Sports Association and Olympic Committee, the ICF, and the Asian Canoe Confederation.
It has 59 registered members and about 9,500 individual members.
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