DEAF SPORTS AUSTRALIA HAS RESPONDED TO THE ICSD APPOINTED ADVISORS AND THE REGIONAL CONFEDERATION CHAIRS. INSTISTING ON URGENCY TO ARRANGE A VIRTUAL EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS.

Kate Armfield, President and Phil Harper, General Manager of Deaf Sport Australia have written an open letter to all ICSD members:

“..Deaf Sport Australia fully supports the urgent need for an Extraordinary Congress (EC) – a suggestion we have recommended previously in recent emails.

We are very disappointed that the Board and the Executive team are dysfunctional and despite attempts to fix the problems, as shared by Adam and Donalda, they can only be solved at an EC. The future of ICSD is at risk.

We do not agree with the letter sent by the ICSD Regional Presidents – they do not have a mandate to make their recommendations or represent our independent views.

For an EC to be fully transparent, it requires co-ordination and meeting management from an eminent person outside of the ICSD.

We request an urgent EC managed online and conducted by an independent chair.  We recommend an IOC representative to conduct the EC and support / information provided by Donalda in her role as honorary member of ICSD.

We agree to the following agenda items:

– approval of Deaf Sport Reform,

– approval of accredited financial audits from past 5 years

– election of the new Executive Board

We ask that all member countries fully support this urgent action.”

The key issue that is concerning members is the impartiality and transparency of the ICSD leadership. Croatia issued a short statement recognising Ammons and Kosa as independent and impartial actors. Australia is calling for an external organisation, perhaps the IOC, to oversee proceedings with Ammons advising.