As baseball is not only the national sport but also a core sporting industry in Taiwan, the collapse of the country’s professional baseball league could cost 30,000 jobs, Sports Affairs Council (SAC) Minister Tai Hsia-ling (戴遐齡) said on Wednesday.
Tai made the comments in a speech at National Chung Cheng University in Chiayi County.
Tai said that although she often felt helpless when asked to guarantee there would be no more game-rigging after five major scandals in the Chinese Professional Baseball League’s 21-year history, she stressed the need to keep the league afloat.
The sports sector has received less favorable treatment than many industries in Taiwan, she said, but added that an estimated NT$2.4 billion (US$75.95 million) from the Taiwan Sports Lottery will be used to promote sports this year.
Tai also said she will try to foster the development of the sports industry and create more jobs for former athletes.
To encourage people to exercise regularly, the government will increase the annual budget for sports from NT$4 to NT$28 per capita and has allocated NT$400 million toward a program aimed at building Taiwan into a sports island, Tai said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely