President Ma Ying-jeou attended the opening ceremonies of the 2009 World Games held on the evening of July 16 in Kaohsiung. As president of the host nation, President Ma welcomed all of the athletes and representatives from nations throughout the world, and declared the Eighth World Games underway.
President Ma visited the main stadium for the event and watched the dazzling performances during the opening ceremony. Athletes from nations attending the games then entered the stadium behind the flags of their respective nations. Next, Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chu and International World Games Association President Ron Froehlich delivered brief remarks. Mr. Froehlich then introduced President Ma to the crowd, who then declared the games officially open.
President Ma said both in Chinese and English: "I now declare open the 8th Edition of the World Games in Kaohsiung 2009." The crowd erupted in a roar after President Ma completed his remarks. This set the stage for the World Games in Kaohsiung to begin.