President's Update - ICSD Inspection Visit

Greetings to everyone!

Now I have to share encouraging news.

End of October, ICSD Board members, staff and technical directors went to Samsun, Turkey for the 1st venue inspection as well as to apprised by the Organising Committee (OC) on the preparation for the 2017 Summer Deaflympics.

After having inspected the venues, most of ICSD’s technical directors reported that they are satisfied with the OC’s plan at this stage in preparation for hosting the Summer Deaflympics in Samsun. However, we acknowledged that it is not 100% completed to successfully host the Summer Deaflympics. Only quite a few sport venues, about 20%, have not started to be built or are still in the progress of finishing with construction.

The OC believes that all remaining tasks will be finished no later than summer of 2016.

As for the Golf Academy, which golf will be part during Dealfympics' Programme, is now in the process of completing its construction. As for the shooting venue, only few remaining tasks to complete, the same goes for bowling venue. These are the only 3 venues that need to be completed. I can say that overall of venue inspections, it was fairly good.

The 2nd ICSD inspection visit for all technical directors will be done next summer 2016. During the 2nd inspection, we will ensure to do a very thorough inspection of all sport venues and Deaflympics village. This is to ensure that the hosting of 2017 Summer Deaflympics be successful.

On behalf of ICSD Board members and myself, we want to thank all ICSD technical directors who came to Samsun, for their inspection effort. During the visit, ICSD Board and technical directors also discussed the next steps: planning and integration planning of such a huge event. In addition, we also advised on the next steps and as well as providing valuable recommendations on the key functions to the Organising Committee to ensure that, they can successfully execute on its development.

I am pleased to share with you, Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, Mr. Yusuf Ziya Yilmaz, expressed his appreciation of our visit and stated that the city would try its best to cooperate with ICSD in financing and other issues in order to successfully deliver the 2017 Summer Deaflympics. In addition, we were all happy to have participated in the Planting ceremony in the area of Golf Academy of Deaflympics. It is one of the most important history for Samsun city, leaving its mark of having hosted 2017 Samsun 23rd Summer Deaflympics. Every of one of us planted the tree. The mayor of Samsun city, Ministry Sport of Turkey, the organising committee and other official members participated in the tree planting ceremony.

I believe by next 2 years these trees will blossom beautifully. This was the most important history of Summer Deaflympics for Samsun City.

I believe we have accomplished a lot to date. Thank you!