The nation's soccer fans were the big losers yesterday after a widely-anticipated exhibition game with Senegal's national team failed to materialize.
Dressed in training outfits, carrying video cameras and some wearing flip-flops, the Dakar Lions and their French coach Bruno Metsu underwhelmed the estimated 2,500 spectators at Chungshan Stadium with their performance -- which was more about taking shots with a camera than shots with a ball.
Following their remarkable run at the World Cup in Japan, which only ended with a 1-0 quarterfinal loss against Turkey on Saturday, the Africans were persuaded to spend two days in Taiwan on their way home -- at considerable cost to the government.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (
Chien said it was "the most economical way" to invite the world-class soccer team to drop by Taiwan on their way home from Japan.
"If we were to invite such a formidable team to visit Taiwan, the cost would have been much higher than what we have spent," he said.
PHOTO: AP
But the two young local teams, one male and one female, that were supposed to take part in the exhibition -- won't have learned any new skills.
After some 30 minutes of dribbling, shooting at the goal, rece iving flowers and handing out autographs, the Senegalese -- who stunned defending champions France 1-0 in the opening match -- left the pitch.
The chairman of the National Council of Physical Fitness and Sports, Lin Te-fu (
"Actually, we just arranged a demonstration, with Senegal's national team, simply showing their skills to our national youth team," Lin said. "However, the guests, who only prepared to stay one night in Taiwan, left their uniforms and shoes with their main luggage at CKS airport. "I would like to apologize for disappointing sports fans because of a miscommunication between our officials and the guests."
El Hadj Malicksy, chairman of the Senegal National Soccer Association, who accompanied Lin, issued an apology as well.
Earlier yesterday morning President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) extended a warm welcome to the Senegal team at the Presidential Office, saying the team was "absolutely the greatest team in the world because it has made Senegal a power in the world."
According to Chen, "The national soccer team of Senegal is not just the pride of the whole of Africa but also of all its allies, including Taiwan.
"The successful experience of Senegal's national soccer team tells us that even a country that is poorer than many others can show its actual strength at the world's top sporting competitions."
FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION: The UK would continue to reinforce ties with Taiwan ‘in a wide range of areas’ as a part of a ‘strong unofficial relationship,’ a paper said The UK plans to conduct more freedom of navigation operations in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy told the British House of Commons on Tuesday. British Member of Parliament Desmond Swayne said that the Royal Navy’s HMS Spey had passed through the Taiwan Strait “in pursuit of vital international freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.” Swayne asked Lammy whether he agreed that it was “proper and lawful” to do so, and if the UK would continue to carry out similar operations. Lammy replied “yes” to both questions. The
‘OF COURSE A COUNTRY’: The president outlined that Taiwan has all the necessary features of a nation, including citizens, land, government and sovereignty President William Lai (賴清德) discussed the meaning of “nation” during a speech in New Taipei City last night, emphasizing that Taiwan is a country as he condemned China’s misinterpretation of UN Resolution 2758. The speech was the first in a series of 10 that Lai is scheduled to give across Taiwan. It is the responsibility of Taiwanese citizens to stand united to defend their national sovereignty, democracy, liberty, way of life and the future of the next generation, Lai said. This is the most important legacy the people of this era could pass on to future generations, he said. Lai went on to discuss
AMENDMENT: Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of high-temperature days, affecting economic productivity and public health, experts said The Central Weather Administration (CWA) is considering amending the Meteorological Act (氣象法) to classify “high temperatures” as “hazardous weather,” providing a legal basis for work or school closures due to extreme heat. CWA Administrator Lu Kuo-chen (呂國臣) yesterday said the agency plans to submit the proposed amendments to the Executive Yuan for review in the fourth quarter this year. The CWA has been monitoring high-temperature trends for an extended period, and the agency contributes scientific data to the recently established High Temperature Response Alliance led by the Ministry of Environment, Lu said. The data include temperature, humidity, radiation intensity and ambient wind,
SECOND SPEECH: All political parties should work together to defend democracy, protect Taiwan and resist the CCP, despite their differences, the president said President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday discussed how pro-Taiwan and pro-Republic of China (ROC) groups can agree to maintain solidarity on the issue of protecting Taiwan and resisting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The talk, delivered last night at Taoyuan’s Hakka Youth Association, was the second in a series of 10 that Lai is scheduled to give across Taiwan. Citing Taiwanese democracy pioneer Chiang Wei-shui’s (蔣渭水) slogan that solidarity brings strength, Lai said it was a call for political parties to find consensus amid disagreements on behalf of bettering the nation. All political parties should work together to defend democracy, protect Taiwan and resist
RSS