URGENT NEWS FROM UK DEAF SPORT
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30 January 2009
URGENT STATEMENT FROM UK DEAF SPORT
Re: Request to UK Sport for funding for UK Deaf Sport
UK Deaf Sport submitted a short summary proposal for consideration for funding to UK Sport which was discussed yesterday. Following their meeting I received a telephone call to inform me of their decision which
I will outline below.
The UK Sport Board considered UK Deaf Sport's request for funding to send the GB squad of athletes and officials to Taipei Deaflympics this September and they made the decision not to give UK Deaf Sport a funding award.
This is a clear and blatant message from UK Sport that they do not recognise Deaflympics in the same way as Olympics and Paralympics thus raising the question of equality issues. It also makes the fate of deaf athletes in any sport pathways development uncertain.
UK Deaf Sport is extremely angry and disappointed with the decision from UK Sport, which inevitably leaves GB Deaflympic athletes in a very vulnerable position. We intend to make formal appeal against their decision within the next 28 days.
Full details outlining their reasons will be available on UKDS website once we receive their formal letter. BSL translation arrangements will also be made shortly via youtube.
UK Deaf Sport will therefore resume its campaign over the course of the next 72 hours and will require an all-out and large scale effort and support from Deaf Sport Organisations, athletes and supporters from all over the UK to join in to condemn the latest actions from UK Sport and the Government.
UK Deaf Sport Board:
Craig A Crowley - Chair
Philip Gerrard - Vice Chair (GB Deaflympic Organising Committee)
Steve Wherry - Vice Chair (Campaigns Sub-Committee)
Josef Baines - Hon. Secretary
Lynn Parker - Trustee
David Blackburn - Trustee
Derek Simmons - Honorary President
