The new Ministry of Sports was officially inaugurated today, with 30-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist and retired Taiwanese badminton superstar Lee Yang (李洋) stepping into his new role as minister of sports.
In his speech, Lee thanked President William Lai (賴清德) and Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) for their support of the new ministry, which marks a milestone in Taiwan’s sports history.
As an athlete who has faced countless challenges on the court, he understands athletes’ concerns and is aware of the great responsibility now on his shoulders, Lee said.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
Lee said the ministry would focus on six key areas.
The first would be to ensure that “sports for all” is truly implemented, Lee said.
The second would be to integrate resources among the ministry, National Sports Training Center and other associations to strengthen competitive sports training and development.
Third, the ministry would promote international sporting competitions and exchanges, and fourth, it would foster the growth of the sports industry.
Fifth, it would advance sustainability and diversity, and sixth, it would invest in cultivating sports culture among children, youth and grassroots communities, he said.
Sports should start from an early age in schools and communities, cultivating long-term talent development that encourages children to dream and gives them the chance to fulfill those dreams, Lee said.
“As an athlete, I love challenges and winning together with my team,” Lee said, “Applying sportsmanship from the court, I will create a new milestone for Taiwan athletics.”
Lai said he has confidence that in this new role as minister, he can use sports to bring excitement, joy and unity to the public.
The ministry has one main agency and three main centers, Lai said.
The Sports for All Agency oversees promoting sports for everybody, while the National Sports Training Center and Taiwan Institute of Sports Science (TISS) promote competitive sports, he said.
Lai said he hopes the ministry can promote professional athleticism and support athletes so they can have longer careers.
“We must continue to promote professional sports, supporting athletes to stand on the international stage and bring honor to the country, then even pursue other careers, forming a complete sports ecosystem,” the president said.
The ministry was officially inaugurated at the National Taiwan University Sports Center, where Cho presented Lee with the ministry seal.
In addition to Lee serving as minister, Sports Administration Director-General Cheng Shih-chung (鄭世忠), Deputy Director-General Huang Chih-chang (洪志昌) and TISS CEO Huang Chi-huang (黃啟煌) would serve as deputy ministers.
Additional reporting by CNA
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