On the evening of April 19, President Tsai Ing-wen of the Republic of China (Taiwan) attended the opening ceremony of the National High School Games. He expressed his hope that with the establishment of the “Sports Department” this year, the people will be healthier, the nation stronger, and the world embracing Taiwan.
During his speech, President Tsai Ing-wen mentioned that it has been 22 years since the National High School Games were last held in Tainan. This year, all 22 counties and cities are participating, with 18,000 athletes competing in 22 different events. He expressed his honor to be part of this event and conveyed best wishes from all sectors in Taiwan for the successful and fulfilling National High School Games, hoping that every athlete will perform their best on the field.
President Tsai Ing-wen expressed gratitude towards the Ministry of Education and the Sports Administration for allocating funds annually to assist local governments in organizing the National High School Games. He particularly commended Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che and the municipal team for their dedication and hard work in planning the event, from venue selection to scheduling, transportation arrangements, and various administrative tasks tirelessly.
He praised the efforts of the Tainan City Government in ensuring that the athletes have a memorable experience in Tainan. Apart from arranging competitive schedules, the city also showcased performances from various groups transcending history, time, and international borders, designed a map of Tainan’s culinary delights for visitors, and encouraged participants to explore the city during their stay, creating lasting memories for everyone.
The theme of this year’s event, as mentioned by President Tsai Ing-wen, is “The Beginning of Glory.” While victories and defeats in each competition are significant, he emphasized that the spirit of striving and giving it their all is key, urging athletes to remain humble in victory and resilient in defeat, using each competition as an opportunity to improve their skills.
Moreover, he highlighted that the National High School Games can serve as a starting point for athletes aspiring to shine internationally and achieve their dreams. Many athletes who have brought honor to Taiwan in events such as the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games, and World University Games have emerged from the National High School Games. He encouraged participants to make the most of this rare opportunity and lay a strong foundation for their future international pursuits.
President Tsai Ing-wen pointed out that the government will soon establish the “Sports Department” with three main objectives: promoting national sports participation to enhance health and strengthen the nation; assisting Taiwanese athletes in pursuing their international dreams and bringing honor to the country, which is an extension of the Golden Plan; and advocating for community clubs and professional sports, expanding beyond baseball and basketball to include the newly established professional volleyball league.
He expressed his hope that through the establishment of the Sports Department, Taiwanese people will be healthier, the nation stronger, and the world more supportive of Taiwan, urging everyone to work together towards these goals.
Subsequently, President Tsai Ing-wen officially declared the start of this year’s National High School Games, witnessing the entrance and raising of the event flag with distinguished guests, the oath-taking by athletes, referees, and coaches, and the ceremonial entrance and lighting of the sacred flame.