ICSD Announces Newly Nominated Summer Sport Directors for the 2025–2029 Cycle

The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) is pleased to announce the nomination of its Summer Sport Directors for the 2025–2029 cycle. This marks an important step in strengthening ICSD’s sport governance structure and ensuring the continued professional development of Deaf sport worldwide.

Strong Global Interest
The selection process attracted very many qualified applications from across the global Deaf sport community, reflecting growing confidence in ICSD’s leadership, independence, and professional direction.

Following a comprehensive evaluation and interview process, highly qualified candidates were nominated to lead and oversee their respective sports.

Newly Nominated ICSD Summer Sport Directors (2025–2029)
The following individuals have been nominated:

Athletics – Javier Soto Rey
Badminton – Tomas Dovydaitis
Basketball – Dario Pignataro
Beach Volleyball – Nozomi Hirai
Bowling – Annette Rundgren
Cycling Road – Paul Wood
Golf – Gavin Balharrie
Mountain Bike – Paul Wood
Orienteering – Tomas Kuzminskis
Sailing – Michael Katzakis
Shooting – Ingo Schweinsberg
Swimming – Tadhg Slattery
Table Tennis – Horst-Peter Scheffel
Taekwondo – Jeong Bongkyu
Volleyball – Matthias Bork
Wrestling Freestyle – David Nathanson
Wrestling Greco-Roman – David Nathanson

ICSD Sport Directors play a central leadership role in coordinating World Deaf Championships and Summer Deaflympics, working closely with Organising Committees, International Federations, and ICSD to ensure the highest standards of sport delivery.

Remaining Positions and Ongoing Appointments
While most positions have been successfully filled, a small number of Sport Director roles remain vacant or on hold. ICSD launched a re-open call for applications to ensure the highest standards of leadership and governance: Opportunities at ICSD Summer Sport Director Positions 2025–2029 (Vacant Positions)

Strengthening the Future of Deaf Sport
This new Sport Director structure represents a significant step forward in strengthening ICSD’s professionalism, transparency, and good governance.

All ICSD Sport Directors are required to operate in full compliance with the ICSD Code of Ethics, ensuring integrity, accountability, and ethical leadership in all aspects of their responsibilities.

The newly nominated Sport Directors will play a vital role in supporting upcoming international events, including the Summer Deaflympics ATHENS 2029, and future World Deaf Championships.

ICSD warmly congratulates all nominated Sport Directors and looks forward to working together to advance Deaf sport worldwide.