The Chinese Taipei Tennis Association has signed an agreement banning Taiwan's national flag, anthem and title when its team plays China during the first round playoffs of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania division in Taiwan this April, the Chinese-language China Times reported yesterday.
Olympic-style rules will be enforced for the matches, meaning that in addition to a prohibition on displaying Taiwanese national symbols, the nation's competitors must maintain a conservative attitude and refrain from overt displays of national pride.
The association is planning to hold the matches at Chinese Culture University in Taipei. However, as the Davis Cup is sponsored by the International Tennis Federation, which is affiliated with the International Olympic Committee, it is bound by Olympic rules.
Association secretary-general Hsieh Shih-wen (謝士文) said that "without the agreement, the Chinese team certainly wouldn't come to Taiwan to play the match. They would demand to play in a third country, which might disadvantage us."
Spectators are also barred from displaying national symbols, which is sure to cause conflict with Taiwan Woo (
The move comes as the association is struggling just to persuade its best players to compete in the match. Top-ranked Lu Yen-hsun (
Li Kao-hsiang (
Li went on to say that the matches were not only a matter of national honor, but also a form of foreign diplomacy.
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from
After nearly six years away from the NBA, New Taipei Kings player Jeremy Lin (林書豪) is set to participate in the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars mini-tournament as the coach of Team G League. The NBA announced Monday (U.S. time) that the Taiwanese-American player will join a trio of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers – Tim Hardaway Sr., Chris Mullin, and Mitch Richmond – as honorary coaches for four teams featuring 28 rising talents. "See you soon in the Bay," Lin wrote in an Instagram story sharing the news. As the All-Star Weekend will take place at