It would be money well spent. In the 2005 IWAS World Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Taiwan's disabled athletes gave impressive performances, returning home with 11 gold, 15 silver and seven bronze medals.
When asked how the athletes may fare at the 2007 IWAS games, Chen was optimistic. Lai piped in that they don't want to place pressure on the athletes but judging by the stellar performances at the most recent competitions he is looking for a good turn out of medals.
Like any sports competition, athletes that win medals serve as ambassadors for Taiwan abroad, and provide role models for athletes at home.
As more local athletes with disabilities bring home medals, the stigmas associated with disabled sport are likely to diminish. Holding the games in Taipei, Chen hopes, will compel other disabled members of the community to take a more active interest in sport.
"If we don't hold any games than people won't know about these sports," she said.
Though sports events for the disabled are now common in most parts of the world, Asia still only has one regional disabled sporting event.
Often parents are afraid to allow their disabled child to participate in sports fearing they may be injured.
However, "when they see the children ... outside and they are happy, free and exercis[ing], ... this [eliminates] their worries," Chen said.
Crucial to bringing along young disabled athletes is instilling them with confidence, Lai said, and this starts by showing parents that a disability doesn't limit a child's potential.
Greater exposure would also erode the view that disabled people cannot become professional athletes.
"These people are professional athletes," said Lai.
In addition to playing host to the 2007 IWAS World Games, Taiwan will host the 2009 Deaflympic Games in Taipei and the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung. Further details about the 2007 IWAS event competitions, times and venues can be found at mvp140.104web.com.tw/cetacean/front/bin/home.phtml.
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