Taiwan Area Games

The Taiwan Area Games opened in Taichung on October 31, with Tsai Hung-wen, speaker of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly, presiding over the ceremony. Some 40,000 people representing various organizations, schools, legislative bodies, athletes and others from all walks of life participated in the ceremony. Tsai told the audience it was very meaningful to hold the games on the 90th birthday anniversary of the late President Chiang Kai-shek, who had paid much attention during his lifetime to physical education for all citizens. Tsai expressed his hope that every citizen would engage regularly in sports activities so that a better citizenship would emerge from the practice of teamwork, cooperation and service. Tsai added that if the participating athletes performed well and set new records, it would be a most meaningful way to commemorate President Chiang's birthday.

Following the opening ceremony, a show included the Tai Chi Chuan, Plum Flower Dance, Stick Exercises and Chinese Martial Arts. The competition lasted for six days, concluding on November 5. The next games will be held at Hsinchu. The 1976 games resulted in some outstanding achievements: 12 entrants set new national records in six categories; 148 broke the records of Taiwan Area Games in 45 categories; 12 equalled the Games' records in 11 categories. The Taichung County delegation won the first prize for sportsmanship.