The NT$10 billion (US$312 million) funding from the Sports Affairs Council was also unprecedented in World Games history, Ma said.
Ma also acknowledged the 5,000 volunteers, law enforcement and security officers and National Police Administration staffers for maintaining order and security.
He encouraged local athletes to participate in international events and promised government support. To promote sports and exercises nationwide, Ma said his administration plans to build 70 sports centers and parks in three years, starting next year.
While Ma has been criticized for paying too much attention to such details as soldiers' physical condition, he said yesterday that his objective was simply to “build a healthy country.”



