Sports Minister Lee Yang honored Taiwan’s Asian Youth Para Games delegation during a banquet celebrating the achievements and excellence of the country’s athletic heroes Dec. 15 in Taipei City.
According to the Ministry of Sports, Team Taiwan received a record 13 gold, 14 silver and 13 bronze medals at the recently concluded games in Dubai.
Speaking at the event, Lee expressed appreciation to the Chinese Taipei Paralympic Committee and the logistics team for their hard work to support the athletes and coaches. Every member of the team has played a crucial role in raising the country’s parasports profile on the global stage this year, he said, adding that the ministry will continue to enhance the national sports environment, provide diverse participation opportunities and help athletes realize their dreams.
Chang Lei-ming, deputy leader of the delegation, said that the athletes, coaches, ministry and committee were all indispensable in achieving this year’s best-ever result. He also praised the young competitors for demonstrating the resilient Taiwan spirit during the games.
Gold winners in the badminton mixed doubles Lin Chia-hsiang and Wu Yu-yen took the opportunity to present Lee a commemorative T-shirt, while gold winners in swimming, table tennis, and track and field gave the minister a team flag signed by all delegation members.
Established Sept. 9, the Ministry of Sports has set up an adaptive sports department to advance sports equity, the ministry said. The government will continue to promote equal sports participation while strengthening the training environment, sports science, medical protections, psychological counseling, nutritional care and daily support to help every athlete reach their highest potential in the global arena, it added. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw