The opening ceremony for the 2017 National Indigenous Games was held on the evening of March 25 at Hsinchu County Stadium. Representatives from the 16 indigenous tribes lit the torch together for the Games. Vice President Chen Chien-jen, Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung, Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples Icyang Parod, Hsinchu County Magistrate Chiu Ching-chun, and other guests were present to cheer for the competitors.
The National Indigenous Peoples Games is held every two years. This year, it is the first time that Hsinchu County has hosted a national sports event. The opening ceremony featured anime, technology, and culture, combined with traditional indigenous cultures and the sports indigenous people are adept at. Splendid performances were arranged through the opening ceremony, serving up a rich cultural feast. “Zhubao,” the mascot of the Games, led the members of the preparatory office, judges and competitors from across Taiwan into the venue. The team from Hsinchu County entered grandly as singer Luo Mei-ling, the ambassador of the Games, sang the theme song, “Spirit of the earth.”
Vice President Chen said that the development of physical activities and sports is a sign of national strength. Besides, UNESCO lists physical activity and sport as a basic human right. The Sports Administration, local governments, and non-governmental groups all work hard to encourage people to engage regularly in sports or exercise through which people can establish friendship, raise self-confidence, and maintain health. He hoped that the Games would allow more people to have further acquaintance with traditional indigenous sports and to take up a sport they like.
Minister Pan stated that there are totally 4,489 competitors from 19 cities and counties. The Games includes seven sports (track and field, basketball, baseball, judo, taekwondo, softball, and croquet) and eight traditional physical activities (traditional dance, archery, wrestling, log sawing, sandbag relay race, road running, spear throw, and tug of war).
The National Indigenous Peoples Games began on March 25 and lasted three days. The 15 events were held in different venues throughout Hsinchu County. It had taken one and a half years to organize the Games. The County Government along with the County Council, local schools, voluntary groups, and companies invested a total of NT$50 million. Magistrate Chiu hoped that all the events in the Games could be successfully completed in an innovative way and create a memorable experience for all involved.