President Chen Shui-bian received this morning Sadaharu Oh, the Japan-based ambassador-at-large of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and confirmed his contributions in sports exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.
Mr. Oh, born in Japan and a holder of R.O.C. (Taiwan) passport, began his baseball career as a fourth grader of the elementary school and had earned for Japanese baseball world reputation. By the time he retired in 1980 he had created a world record of 868 home runs. Mr. Oh later became manager of the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks and helped the team win two Japanese championships in 2003.
President Chen called the opportunity to invite Mr. Oh to the post of R.O.C. (Taiwan) ambassador-at-large to Japan an honor of the country, and thanked him for his contributions to the baseball exchanges between Taiwan and Japan and to Taiwan's baseball development. Speaking of the upcoming World Baseball Classic to be held next March, the President joked about whether Mr. Oh would favor the Taiwanese team or the Japanese team as he is both manager of the Japanese team and an ambassador of the R.O.C. (Taiwan). President Chen noted that he is convinced, however, that the game is going to be fair and friendly, and that Mr. Oh will be the biggest winner no matter who claims the prize. The President was confident that the Taiwan team can demonstrate outstanding performance in the baseball tournament with the hope of taking the championship after Taiwanese players scattering in the U.S. and Japan are returning home.
President Chen pointed out that a national baseball stadium has been built in Douliou, Yunlin County, and that a construction plan of a dome baseball stadium in northern Taiwan is under consideration. The President showed his grave concern about the country's sports development, saying that he plans to promote the baseball game and make it a national sport.