The new deal extends the initial agreement signed between the two parties in 2010 and as well as being the official ball supplier, Conti will provide additional financial support to assist in the development of the sport.

The deal was signed prior to the 2014 Canoe Polo World Championships in Thury-Harcourt, France, which took place last month.

The 11th edition of the Championships saw hosts France claim the men's title for the third time with victory over Germany while the women's crown went defending champions Germany, who won it for a fifth time with victory over Great Britain.

Canoe Polo has also been on the programme of sports at the World Games since 2005 and at last year's event in Cali, Colombia, both the German men's and women's claiming the title.

It is the only contact canoe discipline and is played between two teams of five players over two 10-minute halves.

"It is great to continue working in partnership with Conti," said ICF Canoe Polo Committee chairman, Greg Smale.

"At the recent 2014 Canoe Polo World Championships in Thury-Harcourt, France the Opening Ceremony, all games and medal ceremonies were broadcast live via the ICF YouTube channel with over 145,000 views in a matter of days.

"The Championships were picked up by television with peak viewing figures of 16 million, and daily viewing figures of two million."

Canoe polo has been on the programme of the World Games since 2005 ©Bongarts/Getty Images



Based in Chinese Taipei, Conti Sports has been manufacturing balls foe a number of sports, including basketball, football and volleyball since 1974.

Commenting on the new deal with the ICF, the firm's vice-president Yang Wei-Chao said: "We are very pleased with the relationship between ICF and Conti over the past four years and are excited to continue to the ongoing partnership.

"We do hope that all the players continue to enjoy using Conti's canoe polo balls over the next four years."

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