Luanda — Angola's canoeing is attending the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games starting Saturday, seeking to improve its sixth position of the African Games of Rabat, Morocco, in July this year.

This was said by Mateus Afonso, coach of 15-year old José Chimbumba, the sole canoeing athlete representing Angola in the first edition of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Speaking about the country's chances at the event, the coach said the athlete started his preparation in January this year, when the participation of Angola in the Singapore 2010 Games was announced.

According to Mateus Afonso, more than obtaining the gold, the purpose is to interact with other cultures attending the event and seek to reach the semi-finals.

He recalled that José Chimbumba had a good performance in the African Olympic Games of Rabat in July this year, having come sixth out of nine competitors, despite being his first international appearance.

In the Olympic Games of Singapore, Angola will face 16 countries, being Liberia the other attending African nation.

Angola's canoeing best international participation so far refers to the African Championship of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in 2009, when the national team obtained 14 medals, including six gold.

The country's best Olympic Games record belongs to Fortunato Pacavira, who became the best African competitor in Beijing, China.

The Angolan delegation to the games will leave the country on Tuesday, comprising 39 people, among officials, technicians and athletes.

The Singapore Games will take place from August 14-26, with Angola participating with basketball, handball, athletics, swimming and canoeing.