By Simon Hunter
Ulster Rugby stars Louis Ludik, David Busby and Craig Gilroy were in attendance for the launch of the Junior International Canoe Polo Championships, to be held here this summer.
Hundreds of young people from around the world will travel to Knockbracken Reservoir in Carryduff, just outside Belfast, from 2-6 August.
More than 500 competitiors and their support teams from 18 countries across the world, including Spain, Switzerland and France will be there, with the furthest journey- an 8,000 mile trip from Namibia.
Under-14s, u16s and u19s will participate, with the Ulster youth team competing.
The teams representing Ireland and GB will also be there.
Argento owner Peter Boyle is from the Ulster Canoe Polo Club, and he'll be host.
He's submitted a planning application to create an outdoor water sports centre in future, complete with cable park, canoe polo and glamping pods from the reservoir.
“We are really excited to be able to host these young people from all over the world so they can compete against each other in the Junior International Championships.
As local people will be aware, we have plans in place to transform the reservoir into an outdoor water sports centre that will provide amazing facilities for families living locally and also bring new tourists into the area.
The influx of young people and their supporters into Carryduff and the wider Belfast area this summer will demonstrate just how much this can be of benefit to the local area.
It is a great honour to be able to host these junior international teams and hopefully everyone here will give them a very warm welcome when they come to visit and compete in the championships.”
Ashley Hunter, from the Canoe Association for Northern Ireland, said,
“Although these Junior International Championships are taking place for the first time this year, we are confident it will be the first of many tournaments in the years ahead.
The adult tournaments are very popular so we hope to replicate this success by hosting a world cup or world championship event in the future."