“The official upgrading of the center to an administrative entity under the Ministry of Education marks a new milestone in the nation’s sports development,” he said. “The government will continue allocating resources to ensure the facility is suitable for world-class athletes.”
Ma made the remarks at the inauguration of the NSTC in the southern Taiwan city. Previously known as Zuoying Training Center, the facility has been home to the nation’s top athletes in the past four decades, producing many of Taiwan’s gold medalists at the Olympic Games.
Built on the site of the former ROC marine corps base in Zuoying District, the center underwent a series of renovations and improvements beginning 2010. The NSTC now boasts an array of venues for multiple sports spread over 22 hectares.
Following the Act for the Establishment of the National Sports Training Center taking effect on New Year’s Day, the center is set to add another 16 hectares and gain increased leeway in its funding, infrastructure and personnel planning.
According to Ma, the center and competitive sport are not the sole focus of the government’s national sports policy. “We have also worked hard to boost participation rates for the public in everyday sporting activities,” he said.
“The percentage of people taking regular exercise has increased from 24 percent in 2008 to 31 percent at present,” Ma said, adding that 22 public sports centers have been planned or set up around the country since he took office six and a half years ago.
“We expect the NSTC to continue helping Taiwan athletes shine at international meets,” he said. “There is every reason to believe that our athletes will deliver distinguished performances at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games and 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei City.” (YHC-JSM)
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