Premier Lai Ching-te on Thursday praised Taiwan's recently returned Asian Games athletes, who brought home gold for the first time in archery, artistic gymnastics, badminton, canoeing, and shooting. The premier said that the historic wins reflect the considerable success of new training programs in areas outside of Taiwan's traditional strengths in such events as baseball, cycling, softball, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and weightlifting.
The premier's remarks followed a briefing by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on the results of the 18th Asian Games held this year in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang.
As the matches in which Taiwan's competitors medaled at this year's Asian Games correspond closely to similar Olympic sports, Premier Lai instructed the MOE to research and develop dedicated support programs to qualify and train the nation's athletes to compete in such priority events, with an eye toward capturing further glory for Taiwan at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Sports and athletics are a physical manifestation of national power, which draw on the strength of the state and people alike, said the premier. Thanks to changes in laws and regulations, reforms in physical education, rising budgetary outlays and all other manner of government action, the environment for the development of sports in Taiwan continues to improve. This ongoing refinement also reflects the growing strength of Taiwan itself.
Premier Lai took the opportunity to once again express on behalf of the Executive Yuan his deepest respect and heartfelt thanks to the coaches, athletes and support personnel of the Taiwan delegation for their hard work and dedication.