Taipei, April 19 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday that the time for issuing a sports lottery is approaching and that related government agencies should map out relevant policies soon.
Chen made the remarks when he met over lunch with representatives of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, including League President Chen He-tung and leaders of six professional baseball teams.
The president said that he was gratified to learn that after the integration of the two major leagues, fans have paid more than 1 million visits to baseball games and that ticket revenues have grown by 115 percent.
He added that baseball fans now are most concerned with the performance of the Chinese Taipei baseball team in the upcoming Athens Olympics.
The baseball representatives suggested issues that need to be addressed concerning the development of baseball in Taiwan, including the dilapidated stadium and how to lay a solid framework for baseball games.
In response to their suggestions, Chen said that the four top priorities will be to issue a sports lottery, build new stadiums, deregulate and encourage enterprises to sponsor baseball games, and offer tax incentives for businesses sponsoring sporting activities.