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A Decade of Building a Grassroots Sports Injury Prevention Network in Schools Dedicated to Safeguarding Student Athletes
The Sports Administration (SA) held a press conference on May 22 to present the achievements of the “Subsidy Program for Hiring of Athletic Trainers by Senior High Schools.” Initially launched as a pilot in the 2014 academic year, the program was formally implemented the following year. It has established a solid campus sports injury prevention system through the set up of seven regional support centers. The aim is to safeguard grassroots athletes and enhance the knowledge and awareness of injury prevention among teachers, coaches, and students. In the early stages, only four high schools participated in the pilot. By the 2024 academic year, the program had expanded to 180 schools, subsidizing 183 athletic trainers to assist student-athletes on campus. This growth has contributed to a complete care mechanism for nurturing athletic talent and instilled the importance of injury prevention at the grassroots level. The SA emphasized that the program not only supports schools in building sports injury prevention mechanisms and connecting with athletic trainers, but also highlights the importance of integrating regional medical resources. Currently, 219 medical institutions nationwide participate in the "Green Channel" medical network, offering fast-track diagnosis and rehabilitation services to athletes. On average, 15,000 student-athletes benefit from this network each year, with over 3,000 treatment visits annually. Plans are underway to enlist new partners, aiming to shorten rehabilitation timeframes and improve recovery outcomes. The program has achieved notable success in education and awareness promotion. Nearly 200 educational seminars are held annually, with an average attendance of 11,000 participants. The program places great importance on cultivation of athletic trainers, holding at least 30 skill enhancement courses each year to upgrade professional capabilities and stay up to date with the latest knowledge in sports injury prevention. Professor Hsu Mei-Chih of Kaohsiung Medical University’s Department of Sports Medicine highlighted the development of the “Athletic Injury Record System” since the program began. This digital platform enables on-campus athletic trainers to log in treatment records for student injuries, allowing real-time health monitoring and assessing the suitability of a return to training. The program has seven regional support centers in partnership with universities known for their sports injury prevention and medical expertise: Taipei City, New Taipei City & Keelung Area – National Taiwan University, New Taipei Area – Fu Jen Catholic University, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli Area – National Taiwan Sport University, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou Area – China Medical University, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan – National Cheng Kung University, Kaohsiung, Taitung, Pingtung Area – Kaohsiung Medical University, Yilan, Hualien – Tzu Chi University. Professor Lin Guan-Yin from National Taiwan University’s Department of Physical Therapy said that these centers organize educational workshops to improve understanding of sports nutrition, banned substances, and injury prevention. They also coordinate with doctors and professionals to provide school consultations and on-site support, ensuring comprehensive care both on and off the field and providing a strong support system for campus athletic trainers. Coach Ke Jie-Fu and athletic trainer Cheng Chung-Hsiang of Taipei Municipal Song-Shan Senior High School’s swim team attended the event to share the importance of campus-based injury prevention. Coach Ke emphasized that swimming requires significant pre- and post-competition support from professional athletic trainers to help condition athletes’ muscles. Their team recently won first place in the high school girls’ division at the National High School Games, a success made possible by this support system. Trainer Cheng discussed his daily responsibilities, including preventive care before events and muscle relaxation during competitions, allowing athletes to stay focused and perform to their full potential. The SA stated that over 160 athletic trainers are now working in schools across Taiwan, handling injury treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention. Athletic trainers offer personalized rehabilitation plans based on each sport’s demands, including joint mobility training, core strengthening, and proprioception training, ensuring athletes recover safely and return to competition quickly. In recent years, local governments have also begun prioritizing injury prevention, forming sports injury prevention teams for large-scale national sporting events to provide on-site care. The SA will continue to promote injury prevention efforts in schools and strengthen cooperation with local governments; and encourage municipalities to customize their programs to school needs or local characteristics, promoting diverse and complete sports injury prevention programs and related measures, working together to build a complete sports medicine system and sports injury prevention network. The SA is committed to the mission: “Dedication to Injury Prevention, Boosting Team Combat Power,” nurturing grassroots athletes and ensuring the health and competition safety of athletes across Taiwan.

A Decade of Building a Grassroots Sports Injury Prevention Network in Schools Dedicated to Safeguarding Student Athletes

2025-06-12
The Sports Administration (SA) held a press conference on May 22 to present the achievements of the “Subsidy Program for Hiring of Athletic Trainers by Senior High Schools.” Initially launched as a pilot in the 2014 academic year, the program was formally implemented the following year. It has established a solid campus sports injury prevention system through the set up of seven regional support centers. The aim is to safeguard grassroots athletes and enhance the knowledge and awareness of injury prevention among teachers, coaches, and students. In the early stages, only four high schools participated in the pilot. By the 2024 academic year, the program had expanded to 180 schools, subsidizing 183 athletic trainers to assist student-athletes on campus. This growth has contributed to a complete care mechanism for nurturing athletic talent and instilled the importance of injury prevention at the grassroots level. The SA emphasized that the program not only supports schools in building sports injury prevention mechanisms and connecting with athletic trainers, but also highlights the importance of integrating regional medical resources. Currently, 219 medical institutions nationwide participate in the "Green Channel" medical network, offering fast-track diagnosis and rehabilitation services to athletes. On average, 15,000 student-athletes benefit from this network each year, with over 3,000 treatment visits annually. Plans are underway to enlist new partners, aiming to shorten rehabilitation timeframes and improve recovery outcomes. The program has achieved notable success in education and awareness promotion. Nearly 200 educational seminars are held annually, with an average attendance of 11,000 participants. The program places great importance on cultivation of athletic trainers, holding at least 30 skill enhancement courses each year to upgrade professional capabilities and stay up to date with the latest knowledge in sports injury prevention. Professor Hsu Mei-Chih of Kaohsiung Medical University’s Department of Sports Medicine highlighted the development of the “Athletic Injury Record System” since the program began. This digital platform enables on-campus athletic trainers to log in treatment records for student injuries, allowing real-time health monitoring and assessing the suitability of a return to training. The program has seven regional support centers in partnership with universities known for their sports injury prevention and medical expertise: Taipei City, New Taipei City & Keelung Area – National Taiwan University, New Taipei Area – Fu Jen Catholic University, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli Area – National Taiwan Sport University, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou Area – China Medical University, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan – National Cheng Kung University, Kaohsiung, Taitung, Pingtung Area – Kaohsiung Medical University, Yilan, Hualien – Tzu Chi University. Professor Lin Guan-Yin from National Taiwan University’s Department of Physical Therapy said that these centers organize educational workshops to improve understanding of sports nutrition, banned substances, and injury prevention. They also coordinate with doctors and professionals to provide school consultations and on-site support, ensuring comprehensive care both on and off the field and providing a strong support system for campus athletic trainers. Coach Ke Jie-Fu and athletic trainer Cheng Chung-Hsiang of Taipei Municipal Song-Shan Senior High School’s swim team attended the event to share the importance of campus-based injury prevention. Coach Ke emphasized that swimming requires significant pre- and post-competition support from professional athletic trainers to help condition athletes’ muscles. Their team recently won first place in the high school girls’ division at the National High School Games, a success made possible by this support system. Trainer Cheng discussed his daily responsibilities, including preventive care before events and muscle relaxation during competitions, allowing athletes to stay focused and perform to their full potential. The SA stated that over 160 athletic trainers are now working in schools across Taiwan, handling injury treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention. Athletic trainers offer personalized rehabilitation plans based on each sport’s demands, including joint mobility training, core strengthening, and proprioception training, ensuring athletes recover safely and return to competition quickly. In recent years, local governments have also begun prioritizing injury prevention, forming sports injury prevention teams for large-scale national sporting events to provide on-site care. The SA will continue to promote injury prevention efforts in schools and strengthen cooperation with local governments; and encourage municipalities to customize their programs to school needs or local characteristics, promoting diverse and complete sports injury prevention programs and related measures, working together to build a complete sports medicine system and sports injury prevention network. The SA is committed to the mission: “Dedication to Injury Prevention, Boosting Team Combat Power,” nurturing grassroots athletes and ensuring the health and competition safety of athletes across Taiwan.
MOC announces 44th National Cultural Award recipients
The Ministry of Culture (MOC) announced the recipients of the 44th National Cultural Award on June 3, honoring Yang Li-hua (楊麗花), Fu Ming-kuang (傅明光), and Wu Sheng (吳晟). Minister of Culture Li Yuan extended heartfelt congratulations to the three esteemed awardees, highlighting their contributions to traditional arts, cultural heritage, and literature as well as commending their efforts to promote Taiwanese culture and foster a better society. Born Lin Li-hua (林麗花) in 1944, Yang Li-hua is a Taiwanese opera performer whose career has spanned outdoor theaters, radio shows, television programs, and films, profoundly influencing the industry. In 1991, she made history by bringing Taiwanese opera to the National Theater Hall with her groundbreaking performance of “Lü Bu and Diao Chan (呂布與貂蟬).” In 2002, she received the Special Award for Opera Performance at the Traditional Arts Golden Melody Awards. In 2023, she was officially recognized by the Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs as both a “preserver of intangible cultural heritage” and a “master of traditional arts.” Born in 1940, Fu Ming-kuang decided to become a mason at an early age. With a career spanning over 60 years, he has become an expert in restoring traditional Hakka architecture, possessing extensive knowledge of traditional techniques for reconstructing elements of homes and temples. As a key figure in the preservation of architectural heritage, he has dedicated himself to passing on his skills and actively promoting cultural traditions in Taiwan. In 2016, he was recognized by the MOC as a preserver of traditional construction techniques. Born in 1944, Wu Sheng, whose given name is Wu Sheng-hsiung (吳勝雄), has been a prominent voice in native literature since the 1970s, producing nearly 100 poems that portray rural life while reflecting on societal changes and the experiences of ordinary individuals. In 1980, he was invited to the United States to promote Taiwanese literature. He has received numerous honors, including the 30th Wu San-lien Award in 2007 and the Golden Book Award at the Taiwan Literature Awards in 2015. Additionally, Wu is also known as a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and human rights in Taiwan. The award presentation ceremony is scheduled to take place on July 10 at Taipei Zhongshan Hall.

MOC announces 44th National Cultural Award recipients

2025-06-12
The Ministry of Culture (MOC) announced the recipients of the 44th National Cultural Award on June 3, honoring Yang Li-hua (楊麗花), Fu Ming-kuang (傅明光), and Wu Sheng (吳晟). Minister of Culture Li Yuan extended heartfelt congratulations to the three esteemed awardees, highlighting their contributions to traditional arts, cultural heritage, and literature as well as commending their efforts to promote Taiwanese culture and foster a better society. Born Lin Li-hua (林麗花) in 1944, Yang Li-hua is a Taiwanese opera performer whose career has spanned outdoor theaters, radio shows, television programs, and films, profoundly influencing the industry. In 1991, she made history by bringing Taiwanese opera to the National Theater Hall with her groundbreaking performance of “Lü Bu and Diao Chan (呂布與貂蟬).” In 2002, she received the Special Award for Opera Performance at the Traditional Arts Golden Melody Awards. In 2023, she was officially recognized by the Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs as both a “preserver of intangible cultural heritage” and a “master of traditional arts.” Born in 1940, Fu Ming-kuang decided to become a mason at an early age. With a career spanning over 60 years, he has become an expert in restoring traditional Hakka architecture, possessing extensive knowledge of traditional techniques for reconstructing elements of homes and temples. As a key figure in the preservation of architectural heritage, he has dedicated himself to passing on his skills and actively promoting cultural traditions in Taiwan. In 2016, he was recognized by the MOC as a preserver of traditional construction techniques. Born in 1944, Wu Sheng, whose given name is Wu Sheng-hsiung (吳勝雄), has been a prominent voice in native literature since the 1970s, producing nearly 100 poems that portray rural life while reflecting on societal changes and the experiences of ordinary individuals. In 1980, he was invited to the United States to promote Taiwanese literature. He has received numerous honors, including the 30th Wu San-lien Award in 2007 and the Golden Book Award at the Taiwan Literature Awards in 2015. Additionally, Wu is also known as a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and human rights in Taiwan. The award presentation ceremony is scheduled to take place on July 10 at Taipei Zhongshan Hall.
Taiwan, Germany museums launch joint indigenous artifact exhibition project
To promote Taiwan-Germany cultural exchange and deepen museum collaboration, the National Taiwan Museum (NTM), the Humboldt Forum’s Ethnological Museum of Berlin, and the Research Center for Historical Sources of Taiwan in Europe at National Chengchi University (NCCU) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for joint curatorial cooperation. The agreement marks the beginning of a trilateral partnership in the repatriation of cultural artifacts and the enhancement of broader transnational cooperation. The LoI was signed by Prof. Dr. Lars-Christian Koch, Director of the Ethnological Museum of Berlin; Chen Teng-chin (陳登欽), Director of NTM; and Yao Shao-chi (姚紹基), Director of NCCU’s research center. A joint exhibition is tentatively planned for June 2027 in Taiwan, featuring Indigenous Taiwanese artifacts from Berlin’s collections. This will be the first major exhibition in Taiwan of Indigenous artifacts housed in Western museums. Founded in 1873, Berlin’s Ethnological Museum holds over 500,000 items from outside Europe, including around 450 Taiwanese Indigenous objects collected primarily between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often through fieldwork initiated by founding director Adolf Bastian. Director Chen highlighted the importance of collaborating with Indigenous curators and continuing past efforts to bring cultural heritage back to local communities. The exhibition will include fieldwork, interviews with elders, and reinterpretations by Indigenous artists to rediscover the original names, uses, and meanings of the objects on display. Prof. Koch emphasized the significance of this collaboration, noting challenges in preserving the Berlin collection and the value of Taiwanese expertise in improving artifact documentation. The project also aligns with Berlin’s ongoing efforts to digitize its collections and expand global access.

Taiwan, Germany museums launch joint indigenous artifact exhibition project

2025-06-12
To promote Taiwan-Germany cultural exchange and deepen museum collaboration, the National Taiwan Museum (NTM), the Humboldt Forum’s Ethnological Museum of Berlin, and the Research Center for Historical Sources of Taiwan in Europe at National Chengchi University (NCCU) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for joint curatorial cooperation. The agreement marks the beginning of a trilateral partnership in the repatriation of cultural artifacts and the enhancement of broader transnational cooperation. The LoI was signed by Prof. Dr. Lars-Christian Koch, Director of the Ethnological Museum of Berlin; Chen Teng-chin (陳登欽), Director of NTM; and Yao Shao-chi (姚紹基), Director of NCCU’s research center. A joint exhibition is tentatively planned for June 2027 in Taiwan, featuring Indigenous Taiwanese artifacts from Berlin’s collections. This will be the first major exhibition in Taiwan of Indigenous artifacts housed in Western museums. Founded in 1873, Berlin’s Ethnological Museum holds over 500,000 items from outside Europe, including around 450 Taiwanese Indigenous objects collected primarily between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often through fieldwork initiated by founding director Adolf Bastian. Director Chen highlighted the importance of collaborating with Indigenous curators and continuing past efforts to bring cultural heritage back to local communities. The exhibition will include fieldwork, interviews with elders, and reinterpretations by Indigenous artists to rediscover the original names, uses, and meanings of the objects on display. Prof. Koch emphasized the significance of this collaboration, noting challenges in preserving the Berlin collection and the value of Taiwanese expertise in improving artifact documentation. The project also aligns with Berlin’s ongoing efforts to digitize its collections and expand global access.
Applications open for 2026 Fulbright program for Taiwan arts professionals
The application for the 2026 Fulbright – Taiwan Ministry of Culture, Arts Professionals Program is now open. The program will select up to three candidates engaged in art administration, management, technical support, and curatorial and critical practices. The application’s deadline is on Oct. 31. The Fulbright Program is a prestigious international exchange program that supports researchers in various fields around the world. Since 2018, the Ministry of Culture (MOC) has collaborated with the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan) to offer Taiwanese arts professionals opportunities to deepen their expertise in the United States. To date, 19 recipients have completed the program. The MOC emphasized the importance partnership between Taiwan and the U.S. across a wide range of sectors, including politics, economics, culture, and academia. Through the collaboration with the Foundation, the MOC hopes to foster greater artistic exchange and exploration, while supporting participants in expanding their professional knowledge and global networks. To help applicants better understand the application process and requirements, two information sessions will be held by the Ministry of Culture and the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange, respectively. One will take place on June 26 at the Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab (C-LAB); the other is slated for Sept. 9 at the Foundation’s Cultural Lecture Hall. The sessions will cover application procedures, key points for filling out the required materials, and include experience-sharing by past award recipients. All are welcome to attend. For more information, visit: https://www.fulbright.org.tw/zh-hant/fulbright-taiwan-ministry-of-culture/

Applications open for 2026 Fulbright program for Taiwan arts professionals

2025-06-12
The application for the 2026 Fulbright – Taiwan Ministry of Culture, Arts Professionals Program is now open. The program will select up to three candidates engaged in art administration, management, technical support, and curatorial and critical practices. The application’s deadline is on Oct. 31. The Fulbright Program is a prestigious international exchange program that supports researchers in various fields around the world. Since 2018, the Ministry of Culture (MOC) has collaborated with the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan) to offer Taiwanese arts professionals opportunities to deepen their expertise in the United States. To date, 19 recipients have completed the program. The MOC emphasized the importance partnership between Taiwan and the U.S. across a wide range of sectors, including politics, economics, culture, and academia. Through the collaboration with the Foundation, the MOC hopes to foster greater artistic exchange and exploration, while supporting participants in expanding their professional knowledge and global networks. To help applicants better understand the application process and requirements, two information sessions will be held by the Ministry of Culture and the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange, respectively. One will take place on June 26 at the Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab (C-LAB); the other is slated for Sept. 9 at the Foundation’s Cultural Lecture Hall. The sessions will cover application procedures, key points for filling out the required materials, and include experience-sharing by past award recipients. All are welcome to attend. For more information, visit: https://www.fulbright.org.tw/zh-hant/fulbright-taiwan-ministry-of-culture/
Important Things to Know Before River Tracing The Sports Administration reiterates important safety matters for river tracing
To ensure the safety of river tracing activities and protect consumer rights, the Sports Administration (SA), in line with the Executive Yuan’s consumer protection policies, on February 10, 2025 requested local governments to guide river tracing operators and related personnel in their jurisdiction to strictly follow the “Guidelines for Conducting River Tracing Activities.” The SA has also drafted an inspection and guidance plan for 2025. River tracing, or canyoning, is a multi-disciplinary outdoor activity that involves moving along rivers, streams, and nearby terrain, requiring technical climbing or rappelling depending on the terrain. It offers a unique opportunity to experience Taiwan’s beautiful canyons and cold streams, making it a popular activity for outdoor enthusiasts in the heat of summer. However, due to factors such as environmental conditions, misjudgment of weather, improper or insufficient equipment, unfamiliarity with terrain, or carelessness, river tracing can result in accidents or unfortunate incidents. To mitigate these risks, the SA requires local governments to inspect and guide canyoning operators each year. Before conducting any activities, operators must submit detailed plans to local authorities for filing, ensure an adequate number of qualified guides or safety personnel, use certified safety equipment, establish complete emergency response plans, and purchase sufficient public liability insurance. The aim is to help everyone enjoy river tracing safely. The SA urges the public to take proper safety precautions before participating in river tracing activities. Choose licensed operators—ensure they are properly registered, provide insurance, and have qualified guides. You may also ask to see proof that the activity has been filed with local authorities. Always check the weather forecast before departure, and confirm that all necessary gear—helmets, river tracing shoes, and life vests—is prepared and worn. Review safety techniques and assess water conditions before entering. During the activity, never go off alone, and stay alert to your physical condition, water flow, terrain, and weather. If you notice signs of danger, such as dark clouds upstream, muddy water, thunder, or sudden heavy rain, stop the activity immediately and follow your guide’s instructions to evacuate to a safe location to avoid unfortunate events occurring. In addition to the public liability insurance provided by organizers, participants are encouraged to consider buying personal accident insurance for further protection. Participants are reminded to respect the environment by not littering or discarding food waste during river tracing activities, contributing to the sustainable development of the ecological environment. The SA announced that the Ministry of Sports will be officially established in September 2025, marking a new era for Taiwan’s sports policy. The vision is to strengthen Taiwan through sports and build a sporting nation that values sports equity, social inclusion, and sustainable development, making sports more accessible, industrialized, and internationalized; promoting active lifestyles, making sport part of communities and daily life, nurturing people’s love for sports so more people engage in regular exercise; and providing firm support for competitive athletes to develop the best competitive sports conditions. Expanding sports participation and consumption will drive the sports economy and promote sports industry growth. Through hosting Taiwan-brand international sports events, nurturing global talent, and developing sports diplomacy networks, the aim is to raise our global profile and influence, using sports diplomacy to make Taiwan stronger.

Important Things to Know Before River Tracing The Sports Administration reiterates important safety matters for river tracing

2025-06-04
To ensure the safety of river tracing activities and protect consumer rights, the Sports Administration (SA), in line with the Executive Yuan’s consumer protection policies, on February 10, 2025 requested local governments to guide river tracing operators and related personnel in their jurisdiction to strictly follow the “Guidelines for Conducting River Tracing Activities.” The SA has also drafted an inspection and guidance plan for 2025. River tracing, or canyoning, is a multi-disciplinary outdoor activity that involves moving along rivers, streams, and nearby terrain, requiring technical climbing or rappelling depending on the terrain. It offers a unique opportunity to experience Taiwan’s beautiful canyons and cold streams, making it a popular activity for outdoor enthusiasts in the heat of summer. However, due to factors such as environmental conditions, misjudgment of weather, improper or insufficient equipment, unfamiliarity with terrain, or carelessness, river tracing can result in accidents or unfortunate incidents. To mitigate these risks, the SA requires local governments to inspect and guide canyoning operators each year. Before conducting any activities, operators must submit detailed plans to local authorities for filing, ensure an adequate number of qualified guides or safety personnel, use certified safety equipment, establish complete emergency response plans, and purchase sufficient public liability insurance. The aim is to help everyone enjoy river tracing safely. The SA urges the public to take proper safety precautions before participating in river tracing activities. Choose licensed operators—ensure they are properly registered, provide insurance, and have qualified guides. You may also ask to see proof that the activity has been filed with local authorities. Always check the weather forecast before departure, and confirm that all necessary gear—helmets, river tracing shoes, and life vests—is prepared and worn. Review safety techniques and assess water conditions before entering. During the activity, never go off alone, and stay alert to your physical condition, water flow, terrain, and weather. If you notice signs of danger, such as dark clouds upstream, muddy water, thunder, or sudden heavy rain, stop the activity immediately and follow your guide’s instructions to evacuate to a safe location to avoid unfortunate events occurring. In addition to the public liability insurance provided by organizers, participants are encouraged to consider buying personal accident insurance for further protection. Participants are reminded to respect the environment by not littering or discarding food waste during river tracing activities, contributing to the sustainable development of the ecological environment. The SA announced that the Ministry of Sports will be officially established in September 2025, marking a new era for Taiwan’s sports policy. The vision is to strengthen Taiwan through sports and build a sporting nation that values sports equity, social inclusion, and sustainable development, making sports more accessible, industrialized, and internationalized; promoting active lifestyles, making sport part of communities and daily life, nurturing people’s love for sports so more people engage in regular exercise; and providing firm support for competitive athletes to develop the best competitive sports conditions. Expanding sports participation and consumption will drive the sports economy and promote sports industry growth. Through hosting Taiwan-brand international sports events, nurturing global talent, and developing sports diplomacy networks, the aim is to raise our global profile and influence, using sports diplomacy to make Taiwan stronger.