Today Premier Chang San-cheng attended the opening ceremony of the 51st Liudui Sports Game and commended the event for demonstrating and carrying on traditional Hakka culture and the "outstanding Hakka spirit."
The Liudui Sports Game, which was first held in 1948, is not only a sporting event but also a gathering to strengthen the solidarity and harmony among Hakka communities and a venue for showcasing the remarkable Hakka culture and spirit, such as the Hakka tradition of martial training for homeland defense, Chang stated.
To further showcase Hakka culture and spirit, this year Hakka communities from 12 townships and districts across Pingtung County and Kaohsiung City were invited by the Taiwan Hakka Culture Development Center and the Kaohsiung City Government to stage a festive parade prior to the games, the premier noted.
The Liudui Sports Game this year was held at Zhutian Elementary School in Pingtung County. The event, which is nicknamed "the Olympics of Dawu Mountain," originated from martial training undertaken by early Hakka people in Liudui region (which spans parts of Kaohsiung and Pingtung) to defend their communities and country. It is one of the most unique traditional Hakka competitions in southern Taiwan and the only Hakka sporting event in the country, the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) said.
Today's Liudui Sports Game is part of the Liudui Festival held March 5, 6, 12 and 13 this year, the HAC stated.