Executive Director - Tiffany Granfors Tours China
Executive Director Tiffany Granfors was invited to attend the East-Asia Deaf Congress in Tianjin and Jinzhou, China from 29 April to 4 May 2006. It was a very rewarding experience for her to meet about 300 deaf Asians and to talk about the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf, the 2009 Summer Deaflympics in Taipei and how the Asians will have an opportunity to welcome tourists into their countries after the Games. The countries that participated in the Congress were; China, Taiwan, Korea, Macau, Hong Kong, and Japan.
After the congress, Tiffany had the opportunity to travel with Mr. Kung-Tung CHOU, Honorary President of APDSC, to several cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, and Nanchang. In those cities Tiffany had the opportunity to meet Deaf people and visit their Deaf Clubs. The Asians were very welcoming and warm people and wanted everyone to know that they want more people from all parts of the world to come and visit their cities and to learn more about them and to help them improve their social services which are still inadequate.
At the end of the three and half week trip Tiffany took a boat trip to beautiful Macau to visit Macau Deaf Sports Federation but was sorry to have to stay such a short time due to the typhoon warning which forced her to leave early for Hong Kong. She was able to meet with people at the Deaf Sports Center and talk about ICSD and Summer/Winter Deaflympics. It was wonderful to meet the people of Macau! Thanks to the President of Macau Deaf Sports Federation for organizing such a meeting and a tour of Macau!
After visiting Macau, Tiffany took an hour boat ride to Hong Kong then the weather turned for worst and the category 3 typhoon hit the area and had bad rain storm. After it cleared up, she had the opportunity to visit the lively city of Hong Kong, thanks to Hong Kong Sports Association of the Deaf (HKSAD) for being a wonderful host. Tiffany met with Hong Kong Sports Association for the Deaf to discuss matters related with Deaf Sports and we look forward to a better collaboration with Hong Kong.
ICSD and Tiffany deeply appreciate Mr. Kuo-Tung CHOU’s time and arrangements in making this trip successful!