The International Canoe Federation has celebrated Branko Lovric’s 20-year service as a member of the organisation’s Board of Directors.
Mr Lovric was emotional when he received a special gift from ICF President Thomas Konietzko along with fellow outgoing Board member Jovana Stanojevic.
The two European representatives were recognised on the final day of the ICF Board of Directors’ meeting on March 5 in Hangzhou, China.
Mr Lovric’s spell at the ICF has come to an end with the European Canoe Association (ECA) retiring the role of Secretary General.
The Croatian official joined the Board of Directors at the ECA in 1999 and has been the continental governing body’s Secretary General since 2001.
He became an ICF Board member in 2005 – the same year Zagreb, Croatia staged the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships.
As Secretary General of the Croatian Canoe Federation for 33 years, Mr Lovric has played an influential role in the development of paddle sports in his country and oversaw the staging of last year’s ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Metkovic.
After his recognition at the ICF Board of Directors’ meeting in Hangzhou, Mr Lovric said: “It was very emotional.
“I have been working for the ECA for over 20 years and have been working with Thomas Konietzko for a long time.
“During my 20 years with the ICF, I have made a lot of good friends and really enjoyed my period working with the international organisation.
“I am very proud to be part of the organisation of some big events in Croatia, like the 1999 Junior Canoe Sprint World Championships, the 2005 Canoe Sprint World Championships and last year’s Canoe Marathon World Championships in Metkovic.
“It was the right time to leave and look forward to other challenges.”
Mrs Stanojevic also received a special gift from Mr Konietzko acknowledging her six-year spell on the ICF Board of Directors.
The Serbian official has been a member of the ECA Canoe Sprint Committee since 2017 and joined the ICF Board of Directors as a continental representative in 2019.
She will step down from her role as an ECA Board member after being appointed in the full-time position of Sport and Event Manager at the ECA.
“My first six years were just an exploration to see how everything works but it feels nice to be recognised," said Mrs Stanojevic.
“I feel that there are more deserving Board members than me to receive this.
“When I say there are more deserving people on the Board, I first and foremost think of Branko.
“Today belongs to him rather than both of us.”
Speaking at the ICF Board of Directors’ meeting, Mr Konietzko said: “It's very emotional to say farewell two Board members.
“One is still young and I’m sure will come back in the future, but the other is very experienced and will not come back into this position.
“Branko enjoyed 20 years as an ICF Board members which is a fantastic performance.
“As the ECA Secretary General, he was always a great advisor and simply a brilliant people person who gave a lot to our sport and we will all miss him here.”
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