Ichrak EL KINDI 18 juillet 2015 20:20
http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/NewsGallery/News/Expand-and-Extend-in-Iran.html
Ichrak EL KINDI 18 juillet 2015 20:20
This time, the training camp gathered a total of 21 women (15 from Iran, 2 from Morocco, 2 from Turkey, 1 from Tunisia and 1 from Greece) during one week (24 April – 2 May). They were supervised and trained by Benoit Peshier (FRA, 2004 K1 Olympic champion), Maria Ferekidou (GRE, International athlete and coach), and Katayoon Ashraf (IRI, national coach). The Expand and Extend programme is structured around two main objectives: organise training camps to increase the paddling practice and develop organisational and teaching skills to transfer knowledge to others by organising training camps themselves, respectful of gender equality and social backgrounds. More than a sport, canoeing then becomes a way to grow socially via a sport career in Canoe slalom competition or by setting up a business in the white water environment. “Expand and Extand is not only a programme”, said Iranian national coach Katayoon Ashraf. “It is a light for women to find a way to be stronger and knowledgeable into their abilities. It’s true that the main tool of this programme is sport, and sport is a common language between people all over the world. It can gather young people without any regard to their race, religion, culture. It can grow very fast everywhere. Young women paddlers with the dream of becoming pro are waiting for help. They want to become more confident, they welcome knowledge and technique with open arms. We don’t want to solve problems. We want to teach young people to face their problems in life by getting stronger.” “I got involved in the programme as a coach who shared her experience and knowledge with the girls. I imagine and I hope that this will continue to evolve in other countries and continents”, explained Maria Ferekidou, who has been involved in Expand and Extend since the beginning in 2013. “I really appreciate sharing with the younger generations of paddlers.” French 2004 K1 Olympic champion Benoit Peschier participated to the programme for the first time. “There is so much potential! The girls have different levels of skills but they all share the love of slalom and they are all motivated and can improve quickly. It would be good for them to come to Europe and paddle or European courses to gather some experience. I believe this is a development project that really helps reach new kayakers in the whole world. From the outside, we witness a strong dynamic and I am sure new actions will be set in Iran thanks to motivated local actors as Katayoon Ashraf”. The Expand and Extend programme was launched in 2013 and Nepal and already visited Togo in December 2013, Turkey in October 2014, Thailand in March 2015. It mobilises athletes of the ICF Talent Identification Programme and the network of national federations, white water professionals and various foundations. For more information, please contact Pierrick Gosselin, canoe slalom/white-water consultant for ICF, at pierrick.gosselin@gmail.com.
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