Will va’a become an Olympic discipline? The Tahitian Federation has been trying for decades. But this year, she is invited to the Peace and sport forum in Monaco. She will be able to present her project to the IOC (International Olympic Committee). Among the required criteria, representatives from the African continent are missing, so that the discipline becomes Olympic. Polynesia has therefore appointed a va’a ambassador on this continent.
His name is Samir Azzimani, he is Moroccan and has been appointed ambassador of the va’a in Africa. This high-level alpine and cross-country skiing athlete, introduced to va’a only a few days ago, has a network, but not only that. “I have a master’s degree in sports management, I know the international sports institution well and I have a network in Africa which allows me to do what the Tahitian Federation of Va’a wants to develop, that is- that is to say embedding the va’a in Africa and starting with Morocco,” explains Samir Azzimani.
It was received for 2 weeks. He attended the Hawaiki Nui and became passionate about the discipline. It is up to him to pass on his passion, create clubs, train young Africans in va’a. This will take time, so the Tahitian Federation of Va’a, invited this year to the Peace and sport forum in Monaco, will have the opportunity to present its project, and perhaps convince the International Olympic Committee sooner than expected. “This is how we can seduce the Prince who, today, organized break dancing and who has no really selected continent, explains Rodolphe Apuarii, president of the Tahitian Va’a Federation. However, they made it to the Olympics, without taking the long way, so we also hope.”
The government supports this action. It could bring prestige and recognition to the country and also significant financial benefits. “There are budgets that the Tahitian Va’a Federation could request in order to develop the discipline locally, details Nahema Temarii, the Minister of Sports. But also internationally, since we must not forget that the Tahitian Federation is attached to the International Federation of Va’a and that the IOC only discusses with these international federations.”
While parava’a has been an Olympic discipline since 2020, since it is attached to the Kayak Federation, a delegation of 10 people leaves for Monaco at the beginning of December. Three days to present your request and perhaps convince.
Morocco
