Issue date: May 4, 2024
Issuing unit: School Sports Division
Unit contact person: Mr. Liu Che-chih
Tel.: 02-8771-1025
E-mail：sosa8028@mail.sa.gov.tw
Media contact person: Section Chief Huang Hsiao-fen
Tel.: 02-8771-1024
E-mail：zpip625@mail.sa.gov.tw
The opening ceremony of the 2024 National Intercollegiate Athletic Games (NIAG) was held this afternoon, June 4th, at the athletics stadium of National Taiwan University of Sport (NTUS). President Tsai Ing-wen attended and announced the official start of the games. The highest level of sports competition for college students nationwide has begun and will run until June 8. Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung and Director-General of the Sports Administration Cheng Shih-chung also attended, encouraging athletes to showcase their abilities and aim for the international stage.
President Tsai Ing-wen pointed out that the government continues to increase the sports budget, invest in sports infrastructure and actively encourage private investment in sports. Sports funding has doubled compared to eight years ago. She expressed hope that the athletes will learn from each other and progress together at the NIAG, and that those participating in the Olympics will strive for the highest honor for themselves and Taiwan.
Minister of Education Pan pointed out that 10,105 athletes from 142 schools across the country will participate in this year's Games, competing in 21 sports categories. In the past eight years, with the support of the president, Taiwan’s athletes have repeatedly achieved excellent results in the Olympics, Asian Games and Universiade. Athletes from colleges and universities play a pivotal role in each national team. The NIAG will be a stage to review the training results of the athletes and show their ability in competition. He expressed the hope the athletes can surpass themselves and set new records.
Taiwan's athletes who are qualified for the Paris Olympics, including Lin Yu-tang in Athletics, Wang Kuan-hung in Swimming, Lin Yun-ju and Cheng I-ching in Table Tennis, Kan Chia-wei and Lin Yu-ting in Boxing and others, are expected all participate in this NIAG.
NTUS President Hsu Kuang-piao said that as the only university in Taiwan to host the NIAG six times, NTUS has spent three years bidding and preparing for this event. The teachers and students have worked hard to give this national sports event the best welcome. The NIAG mascot "Jet Rock" was inspired by the "Camel Spirit" of NTUS, symbolizing strong and diligent sportsmanship. The slogan of the NIAG is "Time to Infinite", and President Hsu believes this spirit will be fully demonstrated in the competition.
The performers at the opening ceremony included NTUS alumnus Huang Tzu-yi of LIT ART with his cube act, and central Taiwan’s Royal Ballet, Clear Sky Dance, the Department of Performing Arts of Shin Min High School, MAD Theater, the Dance Class of Wenhua High School, the Dance Class of Changhua Arts Senior High School, the Performing Arts Class of Youth Senior High School and the NTUS Department of Dance, the only specialized dance department of any university in central Taiwan. They welcomed athletes and coaches of the NIAG to Taichung.
The athletes' and referees' oathtaking representatives were high jumper Fu Zhao-xuan and track and field head referee Wu Tsung-cheng, respectively. Then, the torch entered the venue, carried by NTUS swimmer Huang Wei-hsin and track and field athlete Chang Chiao-yin. When the torch was lit, the cold light special effects and light show performance instantly brought the opening ceremony to its climax. The mother flame of the sacred flame was accompanied by dancers dressed in traditional Greek costumes. A prehistoric rope-pattern ceramic jar, unearthed from the ancient site in Taichung Park, was filled with water from the pond of Huxin Pavilion, symbolizing the extension of cultural history with local elements. This ancient vessel expressed respect for the Olympic pantheon through the progress of history. The addition of this historical landscape elevated the Games to an even higher level.
The NIAG this time includes 21 competitions, namely, track and field, swimming, gymnastics, table tennis, badminton, tennis, soft tennis, taekwondo, archery, fencing, judo, karate, weightlifting, boxing, shooting, rowing, canoeing, cycling, wrestling, woodball and handball. To allow the people of Taiwan to appreciate these athletes' performances, the SA will broadcast the NIAG on its YouTube channel, MOESports. More information is available on the official website: https://113niag.ntus.edu.tw/.