President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te, attended the unveiling ceremony of the Ministry of Sports and the appointment of the Minister today (9th), expressing his expectation that the Ministry of Sports will unite the country through sports, allowing Taiwan to continue shining on the international stage.
President Lai Ching-te delivered a speech, noting that today is National Sports Day on September 9th, and the Ministry of Sports is officially established. He expressed gratitude on behalf of the nation to Minister Li Yang for taking on this important responsibility and congratulated him on his appointment as the first Minister of Sports. He also encouraged the future of the Ministry of Sports under the leadership of Minister Li Yang to usher in a new era and a new milestone for sports for all, competitive sports, and professional sports.
President Lai mentioned that Minister Li Yang is a two-time Olympic gold medalist on the sports field, and he believes that he is capable of leading the Ministry of Sports. From his earlier speech, it is evident that Minister Li Yang is well-prepared, not only understanding the aspirations of athletes but also recognizing the challenges faced in promoting sports development. He has put forward six specific work plans for the future, with the administrative team, the sports community, and the public poised to offer strong support.
He thanked Chairman Lin Hongdao of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, President Yeh Zheng-yan of the Sports Federation, Chairman Mu Min-zhu of the Chinese Paralympic Committee, and good friends in the sports community for their valuable insights. President Lai also expressed gratitude for the support from the Legislative Yuan and the Executive Yuan, and he is pleased to witness the official launch of his policy proposals today.
President Lai Ching-te outlined that the Ministry of Sports includes the “Sports for All Division,” aiming to promote sports for everyone so that every citizen can have a sport to keep them healthy, making the nation stronger and also allowing Taiwan to be embraced by the world. Additionally, the establishment of the National Sports Training Center and the National Sports Science Center will help promote competitive sports.
He hopes that every athlete will receive national support to pursue their dreams on the sports field and shine on the international stage, contributing to national unity through their outstanding performances.
“The government does not want athletes’ sporting careers to end without being able to continue their passion after leaving the sports arena. Therefore, by continuing to promote professional sports, athletes can engage in other work even after retiring from sports, creating a sports ecosystem,” said President Lai. Thus, the Ministry of Sports promotes professional sports with the aim of ensuring that every athlete can continue to contribute to the country and sports throughout their lifetime in different stages of the sports field.
President Lai highlighted that the design of the Ministry of Sports’ logo was inspired by the iconic “Team Taiwan” gesture made by Chen Chieh-hsien after hitting a crucial three-run homer in a World Baseball Classic game against Japan, symbolizing unity and team spirit among the people. “Team Taiwan” represents the spirit of Taiwan, team spirit, and the belief that Taiwan is number one.
In conclusion, President Lai emphasized that sports transcend party lines and that sports unite the country. He hopes that everyone will work together to have athletes chase their dreams, ensure that all citizens can be healthy, and continue to make Taiwan shine internationally, earning respect from the global community.