João Costa Alegre

João Costa Alegre is President of Paddle Africa, having been re-elected in December 2025 for a new four-year term through 2029. He has led the Continental Federation since 2009 and has served on the Board of Paddle Worldwide since 2005.  

His leadership has focused on strengthening paddlesport across Africa, supporting National Federations, developing coaches and technical officials, creating better preparation opportunities for high-level athletes, expanding continental competitions and increasing African participation on the international stage. His ambition is to see Africa take an increasingly prominent place in world paddle sport, with athletes at the centre of the Confederation's development strategy.  

Beyond paddlesport, Costa Alegre is President of the São Tomé and Príncipe National Olympic Committee, First Vice-President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), and a member of the ANOC Executive Council.