The 25th TAFISA World Congress was concluded on Saturday 18 November with a splendid Gala Dinner at the Floating Island convention center in Seoul, Korea.
What an absolute success for a TAFISA World Congress! The 450 participants coming from 80 countries brought back friendships, vibrant memories and valuable knowledge back home, as can attest some of the words heard during the Congress:
"This event was amazing, I am looking forward to Tokyo 2019!"
"I have met so many interesting people, I have used up all my name cards."
"TAFISA people are nice people"
"Amazing few days. Lots of amazing presentations, new friends and exciting future opportunities. Thank you!"
TAFISA President Prof. Dr. Ju-ho Chang welcoming the participants.
From Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th November 2017, the Congress participants attended various inspiring events, starting with the grandiose Opening Ceremony with keynote speeches from Sam Ramsamy, Chairman of the IOC's Sport and Active Society Commission and Ruth Maphorisa, co-Chair of IWG on Women in Sport. This set the tone for an exciting and innovative Congress, which included a brilliant House of Commons debate, six thematic parallel sessions, an interesting TAFISA Workshop; with participants actively contributing with questions and remarks to complement more than 50 different speakers.
The Congress was also the occasion for TAFISA Vice-President Catherine Forde to introduce TAFISA's new strategy "Mission 2030: For a Better World Through Sport for All" to the audience, a resource meant to be used by the global Sport for All Movement and all those who want to make a difference during the next decade.
TAFISA Vice-President Catherine Forde introducing "Mission 2030"
"Mission 2030" was then officially approved by the TAFISA General Assembly, which was the theater of major decision-making with the approval of TAFISA's revision of statutes and new bylaws - an effort taken for good governance and transparency - but also the choosing of Ljubljana, Slovenia, as the host for the 27th TAFISA World Congress 2021, and the election of a new Board of Directors.
The new TAFISA Board of Directors (2017 - 2021) (from left to right): Solly Solomon Reikeletseng (Botswana), Guoyong Liu (China), Leonard Thadeo (Tanzania), Wolfgang Baumann (Germany), Catherine Forde (Trinidad & Tobago), Herzel Hagay (Israel), Ju-ho Chang (Korea), Mitra Rouhi Dehkordi (Iran), Yasuo Yamaguchi (Japan), Dionysis Karakasis (Greece), Peter Barendse (Netherlands), Janez Sodrznik (Slovenia)
Last, the 25th TAFISA World Congress was an impressive cultural event, as many performances set a warm and lively atmosphere. The participants thus had the pleasure to enjoy Korean culture, from dance performances with traditional attire and music to Taekwondo demonstrations to the sounds of modern K-Pop. Besides Korean culture, the participants also appreciated Gerlev Academy's Parkour team showing their flexibility and balance, and the Zurkhaneh athletes displaying strength and dexterity.
TAFISA would like to congratulate the Organising Committee and Sport for All Korea Association (SAKA) for their flawless organisation and hosting of a historic Congress, setting the bar very high for the Congresses to come. Our thanks are also extended to all TAFISA members, supporters and friends who joined this global Sport for All event and we hope to see you all in Tokyo, Japan for the 26th TAFISA World Congress 2019!
