News

    The 63rd Anniversary County Games commenced on October 29. Hosted by Deputy Magistrate Chen Cheng-sheng, the holy fire lighting ceremony was held at Lantian College. Then a 2-day holy fire relay was conducted in the county. The entering ceremony was held in the stadium on the 31st, hosted by Magistrate Lin Ming-chen, and participated in by the delegations led by township mayors and village heads. The ceremony was grand and solemn. Magistrate Lin also encouraged all the people to do exercises together. The games lasted for 4 days, with 7,099 athletes joining 34 events, competing for 713 medals. The games were exciting and very competitive.     Magistrate Lin expressed that the delegates from Nantou County joined the National Games 2015 and won the Trophy of Counties and Cities, and the 7th place in the “President of Control Yuan Cup,” ranking first in the counties and cities other than the 6 capitals. The performance of the Nantou athletes had been outstanding, a testimony for the dedication to sports in the county. He also expected schools to continue promoting physical education in order to cultivate heathier younger generations and more athletes, building Nantou into a kingdom for sports.     On 29, Deputy Chen lit the holy fire at Lantian College. Then, he handed it to Deputy Director Li Yu-lan of the Education Department and the students at the special education program of Nangang Junior High School. As the holy fire was lit, the audience roared in loud applause. It was a vivid and happy occasion. Later, the baseball players of Chun Hsin Senior High School transmitted the holy fire to Caotun, starting the holy fire relay in the county.     On 31, the opening ceremony was held with the performance of the little Taiko team of Yanfeng Elementary School at Caotun. The delegates from different townships and cities entered the stadium slowly. With high enthusiasm, they all displayed sound athlete spirits. Later, the Games’ flag and holy fire entered slowly. The Games’ flag was hoisted and the holy fire lit. The County Games were announced to be officially open. Su Jing-de, the pole vaulter of Nantou represented the athletes in reciting their oath. The Seediq dancers of Puli Junior High School performed indigenous dances as the games’ choreography.     On the sports day, there was a 10-thousand people rice recipe activity at the square outside the stadium to promote the quality rice products of Nantou to visitors. Magistrate Lin also attended to hit the gong to announce the beginning of the activity. He also thanked the co-workers for their dedications. Magistrate Lin explained that the Rice Feast had been held since 2008. It not only displays the delicacies of Nantou but also serves as a marketing platform for the farm produce of Nantou. This activity has been a highlight of the County Games for years.