The Taipei City Government yesterday said it would apply to host the 18th Asian Games in 2019. The city estimates hosting the event will cost NT$50 billion (US$1.6 billion).
Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said the city’s successful experience in hosting the 21st Summer Deaflympics last year and improved cross-strait relations should increase Taipei’s chances of hosting the regional sports event.
Deaflympics
“We’ve successfully held the Deaflympics and the changes in cross-strait relations should make it easier for us to win hosting rights for international games,” he told a press conference at the Taipei City Hall.
The 16th Asian Games will open on Friday in Guangzhou, China. A delegation led by Taipei Sports Office Director Sun Ching-chuan (孫清泉) left for the Games yesterday to seek the support of the Asian Games’ committee, who will determine the hosting nation for 2019.
With an estimated budget of NT$50 billion for hosting the Games, Hau said 43 percent of the funds would come from the Sports Affairs Council, another 43 percent from the city’s coffers and the remaining 14 percent from private sponsors.
Infrastructure
Hau said Taipei would work with Taipei County, which will be upgraded and renamed Sinbei City on Dec. 25, to establish sports facilities and infrastructure that would span the two cities.
If Taipei wins the hosting rights, Su said the city government would turn Guandu Sports Park into the main stadium for the Games and set up five more, including Neihu (內湖) in Taipei City and Linkou (林口) in Taipei County.
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