14th ASFAA Congress successfully held in Macao, China

2016-05-16

The "14th ASFAA Congress" organized by ASFAA and hosted by Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government was successfully concluded on 14 May this year, in Macao, China.

Participants from over 10 countries and regions met from 12 to 14 May 2016 in Macao, China, for the 14th ASFAA Congress under the theme “Leisure Activities Promote Sport for All’’. The Opening Ceremony was held on the morning of 12 May in the Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, the Congress official venue, and officiated by ASFAA President, Mr. Alex Vong Iao Lek; TAFISA President Dr. Ju Ho Chang, ASFAA Honorary President Mr. Feng Jianzhong as well as the Secretary of Social Affairs and Culture Dr. Alexis Tam and, President of Macao Sports Bureau, Mr. Pun Weng Kun.

Photo 1: Officiating guests at the ribbon cutting ceremony during the Opening of the 14th ASFAA Congress (from left to right: VONG Iao Lek, FENG Jianzhong, Alexis TAM, Juho CHANG and PUN Weng Kun).

Photo 2: Congress participates at the 14th ASFAA Congress

The ASFAA Congress which is held biennially aims to encourage the exchange of best practices and experiences among the participants; to explore innovative ways to effectively build physical activities into our daily leisure time and to promote an environment where sport is easily assessable for all. Leading sport for all experts from all over the world were invited to share experiences on various aspects, strategies and initiatives of sport for all, with the focus on the following topics:

Theme Address “Leisure Activities Promote Sport for All” by Dra. Maria Helena Santa Clara Pombo Rodrigues (University of Lisbon)

Topic：Social Function of Sports for All by Professor Ren Hai (Beijing Sport University)

Topic: Sport for All and right nutrition with healthy lifestyle by Mrs. Rakefet Arieli (Israeli Sport for All Association)

Topic : Achieving Wellness for the Elderly Population by Professor Frank Fu (Hong Kong Baptist University)

Topic : A Comparative Cross-national Study of Policies and Training Centres for Paraolympics by Professor Yasuo Yamaguchi (Kobe University )

Photo 3: Experience shared by sport for all expert during the Congress

In line with the Congress theme as well as to encourage the exchange of culture and friendship, the Congress program was further enriched with a range of social activities including a tour of Macao famous UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as participation in the 2nd Macao Sports Games which is a local large-scale annual sport for all event organised by the Macao Sports Bureau for the public.