President Tsai delivers address at contract signing to host World Masters Games 2025 in Taiwan
The World Masters Games 2025 will be held in Taiwan. President Tsai Ing-wen delivered an address today at the virtual press conference for the contract signing, jointly held by the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) and the governments of host cities Taipei City and New Taipei City. President Tsai affirmed that Taiwan aims to host the most successful ever World Masters Games, and will do its utmost to realize the ideal of "Sport for All."
A translation of the president's remarks follows:
I am delighted to represent Taiwan and witness the formal signing of an agreement between the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) and the governments of Taipei City and New Taipei City to host the World Masters Games 2025.
After hosting the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei, the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung, and the Taipei Summer Universiade in 2017, Taiwan will once again be hosting an important international multi-sport competition.
The World Masters Games is a very special sports competition. All of the athletes represent themselves or a sports team, and there are no restrictions on entry. This approach fully expresses the love of sports.
Based on our successful hosting of previous international competitions, commitment of central government resources, and coordination of civic organizations, we will all work together to support the host cities—Taipei City and New Taipei City.
We are confident that the competition would be successful, and that everyone will thoroughly enjoy themselves. Because in addition to good venues and facilities, and a sports-loving public, Taiwan also has rich and diverse culture and tourism resources.
In closing, I would like to thank the IMGA for their support and recognition by awarding hosting rights to the Taipei City and New Taipei City governments. Taiwan aims to host the most successful World Masters Games in history, and do our utmost to realize the ideal of "Sport for All."
The IMGA is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Since founding the World Masters Games in 1985, it has held this event once every four years. Unlike other international sporting events, the World Masters Games brings together sport, tourism and cultural experiences.
At the press conference, International Masters Games Association President Mr. Kai Holm, Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je（柯文哲）, and New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih（侯友宜）signed the World Masters Games host city contract via videoconference. Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung（潘文忠）was also on hand for the press conference.