President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of October 15 with members of the Taiwan teams that took part in the 3rd World University Woodball Championship 2010. At the Presidential Office, the president congratulated the team members on their outstanding performance at the competition and, after getting a few tips from the athletes, took a few swings with a mallet himself.
President Ma remarked that the athletes put in a stellar performance, coming away with five gold medals, five silvers, and one bronze. Of the 11 countries competing in the championship, the teams from Taiwan not only won the most gold medals, but also emerged with the overall championship. The president praised the athletes for bringing glory to Taiwan, adding that participation in the championship enabled them to increase their experience in competing on an international level. He furthermore cited the invaluable contributions made by the teams' coaches, the President of the Chinese Taipei Woodball Association, and everyone else involved.
The president commented that woodball is a sport created by Weng Ming-hui. Initially, various difficulties were faced in promoting the sport, but over time the sport has gained popularity in Taiwan and has been embraced on the international level, becoming an internationally recognized competition, he said.
Weng, who is Honorary President of the Chinese Taipei Woodball Association, stated that the sport is catching on throughout the world and that he hopes the government will further promote its development, enabling Taiwan to continue to be among the international leaders in the sport.
During the discussions, President Ma expressed his hope that interest in sports will take hold all across Taiwan. To this end, the Executive Yuan's Sports Affairs Council is planning 70 sports centers or sports parks throughout Taiwan to provide the public an environment conducive to engaging in athletics and to enhance the health of the public, he said.
Hsiao Chia-hung and other members of the medal-winning teams were accompanied to the Presidential Office in the morning by Chinese Taipei Woodball Association Honorary Chairman Weng, current President Weng-Ou Su-qing, and Deputy Education Minister Wu Tsai-shung to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting was Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Bao-guey.