Deaflympics Asia News tue 10 march 2009

Service teams for Deaflympics vow to promote national diplomacy
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Goodwill service teams that will work at the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei held a rally Sunday, with members promising their best efforts in receiving athletes and their family members from 81 countries.
Vice President Vincent Siew participated in the rally, jointly organized by Rotary International and 87 Taipei schools, along with Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin and Sports Affairs Council Minister Tai Hsia-ling.
In his remarks at the rally marking the inauguration of the teams, Siew said he expected the volunteers to show foreign visitors Taiwan’s hospitality and help promote the country’s international image.
He also indicated that if the Rotary Club needed his assistance, he would be happy to give it.
The 2009 Deaflympics, to take place in September, will be the second large-scale international event Taiwan has ever hosted. The first will be the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung in July.
The number of countries participating in this year’s Deaflympics is the largest ever, and over 10,000 athletes, families and support staff are expected to come to Taipei for the event, Siew said.
Hau said he is confident that Taiwan will garner more medals this year after it took nine gold, four silver and three bronzes in 2005.
He also expressed the hope that the international community will feel Taipei’s friendship and vitality at the sports event.
Updated Monday, March 9, 2009 4:27 pm TWN, By Elizabeth Hsu, CNA