Chen Chi-mai also touted his administration’s commitment to Kaohsiung athletes, and said more sports centers are coming soon to enhance fitness of city residents.
City Press Release /Staff
KAOHSIUNG — The 2025 National Games, set for Oct. 18–23 in Yunlin County, will see Kaohsiung sending a strong delegation of over 800 athletes, coaches, and staff to compete in 34 events, according to city officials.
Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said the city government has been fully committed to nurturing athletes. In 2023, Kaohsiung awarded nearly NT$46 million in prize bonuses and invested NT$7.5 million this year in training programs. Additional subsidies for accommodation and transportation have further boosted total support. The city has also invested NT$10 million in sports science and medical care to help athletes maintain peak performance — a sign of Kaohsiung’s growing focus on sports development.
Kaohsiung currently has 15 completed or under-construction sports centers, part of a broader effort to encourage daily exercise. Chen urged residents to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, saying it improves fitness, weight management, and overall quality of life. A recently-opened example is the Lingya Sports Park (苓雅運動園區), built on the former Zhongzheng Stadium site, which now offers facilities for jogging, extreme sports, and more, reflecting the city’s commitment to expanding access to diverse sports environments.
Kaohsiung’s past victories include golds in the 25m pistol team event, double trap shooting, 25m rapid-fire pistol, and karate men’s individual kumite. The city expects more wins in swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting, and cycling, with strong contenders in volleyball, softball, handball, triathlon, judo, fencing, and karate.