Taiwan Today

The one-year countdown to the 2017 Universiade commenced Aug. 20 in Taipei City, with the local government urging residents to take a frontline role in ensuring the success of the largest sporting event ever staged in Taiwan. “We will show the world a better Taipei and stir the passions of the people in the process” Mayor Ko Wen-je said during the countdown ceremony at Taipei City Hall Square. “There is no question this event is of great significance for the city and Taiwan.” Calling on residents to familiarize themselves with all of the 22 sports featured in the games, Ko led the way by trying his hand at a number of events like archery, billiards and weightlifting at a carnival held as part of the countdown ceremony. Put on by the Universiade Organizing Committee under Taipei City Government, the carnival allowed the public to experience the sports of the games and learn more about the venues and different cultures on display during the Aug. 19-30, 2017, event. In addition, hip hop band Nine One One from Taichung City in central Taiwan performed the theme song they wrote for the Universiade. According to Ko, the games will help improve and internationalize the city’s infrastructure, as well as enhance public-private sector cooperation in showcasing Taiwan’s state-of-the-art products on the global stage. Echoing Ko’s remarks, Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung praised the efforts of the central and local governments in working together to ensure all preparatory work is completed for the Universiade. “We have mobilized five local governments, liaised with 15 universities and planned more than 60 venues for this large-scale sporting event.” An example of this cooperation is the army of more than 10,000 volunteers raised for the games, TCG said. Around 100 of them were on hand for the carnival, doing an outstanding job of ensuring the smooth running of the event. Another is the series of carnivals, cultural activities and warm-up events scheduled over the next 12 months in northern Taiwan to raise awareness of the Universiade. The Summer Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival staged every two years in a different city. The 29th edition of the games in Taipei involves an estimated 7,700-plus athletes from 150 countries and territories. (SCK-E) Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw