TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Sports Ministry vowed Thursday to rescue the Taiwan Athletics Open after organizers canceled the event due to a prolonged budget impasse.
Rti quoted Sports Minister Lee Yang (李洋) as saying that available funds in the ministry’s Sports Development Fund could be redirected to support the ranking-point competition.
The Chinese Taipei Athletics Association had cited an inability to secure government funding due to ongoing legislative delays. Lee emphasized that Taiwanese athletes’ international qualification rights must not suffer because of the cancellation.
Past editions, such as the 2025 event at Taipei Municipal Stadium, drew more than 670 athletes from 17 nations and showcased stars like hammer thrower Anita Wlodarczyk. The 2024 Taiwan Athletics Open also featured top local performers including javelin thrower Chao-Tsun Cheng (鄭兆村).
No replacement date has been announced, but ministry officials are coordinating with organizers immediately.
The Legislative Yuan has failed to approve the central government’s NT$3.03 trillion (US$93 billion) annual budget, now months overdue as opposition lawmakers demand deep cuts and scrutiny. This has frozen funding for the Sports Administration.
