TWO officials from the International Canoeing Federation (ICF) visited Myanmar in late September to provide assistance to local canoeists aiming for Olympic qualification in 2012, according to the association.

ICF technical director, Csaba Szanto, and general secretary, Simon Edward Toulson, visited Myanmar as part of an assistance program that is providing certain countries with equipment and technical assistance ahead of the London Olympics, said U Pe Win, general secretary of the Myanmar Rowing and Canoeing Federation (MRCF).

“They discussed the details of the aid program with the Minister of Sports and MRCF officials,” said U Pe Win.

“We proposed the ICF assist with constructing canoe boats, that they supply the mould to construct them in Myanmar and the construction techniques,” he said.

“The MRCF hopes to get this assistance during 2009. I think the ICF has selected Myanmar for this program because they believe Myanmar canoeists can qualify for the London Olympics in 2012,” U Pe Win said.

It is the first time since 2006 the MRCF has received assistance from an international body.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympic, Myanmar kayaker Phone Myint Tayzar, the only competitor from South East Asia in the kayak events, finished 22nd out of 26 contestants in the men’s 1000 metres event and 24th out of 29 in the 500m.