The inaugural World Indigenous Traditional Games will be held for three days in Kaohsiung and Pingtung, starting on December 10. Around 1,100 athletes from 10 countries, such as the Marshall Islands, Palau, and Tuvalu, are taking part. After the torch lighting, the torch relay started today (November 27), leaving Pingtung to visit 55 Indigenous government offices over two weeks.
The torchbearers slowly walked into the Sandimen Township Office. The torch relay for the World Indigenous Traditional Games began in Pingtung on November 27 and will span two weeks, traveling across Taiwan to reach 55 Indigenous district offices.
Director of CIP Minister’s Office, Yan Cheng-Jen: “The torch relay will start in Pingtung and move through Taitung, Hualien, Yilan, New Taipei, and down to Nantou, before returning to the main venue at Laiyi Senior High School. It follows a counter-clockwise path and is the first torch relay ever conducted across all 55 townships nationwide.”
The World Indigenous Traditional Games, centered on traditional competitions, will welcome over 1,100 athletes from 28 teams and 10 countries, including the Marshall Islands and Palau. This event is regarded as both a major sports gathering and a platform for international cultural exchange, drawing considerable excitement from various Indigenous groups.
Sandimen Township Mayor Tseng, Yu-Chin: “We are very much looking forward to this, as it gives us the opportunity to hold a traditional sports gathering with our brothers, the Austronesian nations and Austronesian-speaking countries around the world.”
Majia Township Mayor Luo, Ching-Jen “We will compete and engage with one another, strengthen our mutual understanding, and further promote Austronesian traditional competitions together. We are very excited about this.”
Taiwu Township Mayor Pan, Ming-Fu: “We look forward to the World Indigenous Traditional Games. It brings great honor for us that it is hosted here in Pingtung, and we hope the whole event will be a tremendous success.”
Mayors from various townships took part in the torch relay, which not only marked the official start of the World Indigenous Traditional Games but also highlighted the essential qualities of Indigenous solidarity, resilience, and cultural continuity. The CIP invites everyone in Taiwan to come and appreciate the profound and diverse cultures of the Austronesian communities.