Azerbaijan is planning to develop canoe slalom, an Olympic discipline, with the construction of a new arena in Baku designed for slalom, rafting and other whitewater activities.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the facility will be the first project of its kind in the region, with the International Kayak and Canoe Federation (Paddle Worldwide) directly involved in its development.
The international federation believes the project has significant potential not only for elite sport but also for tourism, recreation, emergency-service training and the wider Azerbaijani economy.
Paddle Worldwide vice-president Luis Rabaneda told İdman.Biz that discussions and an agreement on the initiative took place during a meeting between federation president Thomas Konietzko and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
According to Rabaneda, the arena could help Azerbaijan attract a new generation of athletes to whitewater disciplines while also creating a training centre for neighbouring countries.
"This facility will help Azerbaijan attract a new generation of athletes to whitewater sports. You have rivers, but at the moment there are not many people practising there. We visited several rivers in Azerbaijan and also saw places that could be suitable for paddling. So, by having an Olympic-standard facility and all these natural water resources, it is possible to create an entire community.
"Moreover, neighbouring countries in the region do not have such facilities. Therefore, athletes from other countries will also be able to use the arena. In this way, we can create a regional centre for the development of whitewater paddling in Baku," Rabaneda said.
Richard Fox, chairman of Paddle Worldwide's Canoe Slalom Committee and an 11-time world champion in the discipline, also shared details of the project with İdman.Biz.
Fox said geotechnical and other studies at the site have already been completed, while a company has been selected to carry out the construction work. The contractor is currently receiving the necessary documentation and information from the Azerbaijani side and preparing an action plan.
Construction is expected to begin next year.
"I think once the process starts, there will be motivation to complete it as quickly as possible and significantly expand the opportunities for teams to prepare. I don't think the facility will be ready for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles – the timeframe is very short, although theoretically it is possible. We are talking more about the period leading up to the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane," Fox said.
According to Fox, the arena will be designed in line with the latest international trends, including sustainable operation and the ability to accommodate a variety of activities.
"Of course, there will be some similarities with other facilities because, in any case, it is about the movement and management of water flow. But in my opinion, this will be a modern facility meeting the latest standards. We hope this project will be one of the best in the world in terms of design, perhaps even the best.
"We will take into account the experience of other countries, particularly Australia, where a channel project is currently being developed in Redland City for the 2032 Olympic Games. We want to provide the Azerbaijan Water Sports Federation with the necessary support. This is their first project of this kind, while our team of experts has extensive experience in this field," Fox added.
According to the officials, the Baku arena is intended to be capable of hosting competitions at every level, ranging from World Cup stages to World Championships, as well as continental and regional championships.
The project will also include development programmes designed to establish a sustainable whitewater sports system in Azerbaijan even before construction is completed.
Fox explained that if rafting is introduced at the facility, qualified instructors will be required, and Paddle Worldwide can assist Azerbaijan in identifying appropriate certification and training programmes abroad.
"Furthermore, a new programme can be created for young people so that children and teenagers can begin practising the sport before construction of the facility is completed. Then, when the venue is ready several years later, they will already be able to make full use of it," Fox said.
However, the project is not intended solely for elite athletes. Paddle Worldwide also sees significant opportunities for tourism, recreation and public safety.
Rabaneda stressed that the international federation places particular emphasis on sustainable facilities capable of creating a long-term legacy for local communities and the economy.
"We want to create projects that have a real social impact. Such a facility can have several areas of influence in addition to athlete training and grassroots sport.
"There is also a recreation and tourism component. Baku is a city that receives a large number of visitors. Such an arena could offer them additional opportunities – rafting and other whitewater activities.
"Another very important aspect is the training of rescue services. Because of climate change, this type of training is becoming increasingly relevant and necessary. It is important that security and emergency services – the military, police, firefighters and other structures – are prepared to operate in fast-flowing water. During floods and heavy rainfall, they need to know how to work in exactly these conditions.
"In many countries, facilities of this kind are already used to train rescue personnel. This not only increases the importance of the arena but also provides significant benefits to society," Rabaneda concluded.
