Legislators back minister on Para Games absence

‘REGRETTABLE’: The DPP blamed the downgrading of the sports minister’s credentials on China, while the KMT said the fault lies with host nation Japan

• By Shelley Shan / Staff reporter, with CNA

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Legislators across party lines yesterday voiced their support for Minister of Sports Lee Yang’s (李洋) decision to withdraw from the opening ceremony and other official events of the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday after the organizer downgraded his credential from a sports minister to the guest of Taiwan’s National Paralympics Committee.

The Ministry of Sports said in a statement on Sunday that Lee was initially issued a “sports minister” credential, but was informed by the game organizers earlier that day that his credential had been changed to a guest of a national paralympic committee.

The ministry said the last-minute change without explanation was “regrettable” and lodged a strong protest against the organizers.

Minister of Sports Lee Yang is pictured in an undated photograph.

Photo courtesy of fthe ministry

Chinese National Party (KMT) Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should lodge its protest through diplomatic channels because the real problem lies with the Japanese government.

“National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said that Japan is Taiwan’s big brother. If so, why does it repeatedly mistreat Taiwanese officials?” Lai asked.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus deputy whip Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) urged the public to unite in condemning Beijing’s political interference in Taiwan’s right to participate in international sports events.

“We support Minister Lee’s decision to defend his position based on facts, as Taiwanese athletes, coaches or even medical staff could experience the same plight,” she said.

Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chang Tun-han (張惇涵) said the public should support Lee and the Ministry of Sports regardless of their political affiliations.

The sports ministry said it has issued a formal protest to the Asian Paralympics Committee via Taiwan’s National Paralympic Committee and is also seeking to settle the dispute through diplomatic channels.

“While we respect the rules governing international sporting events and the administrative authority of the event organizers, we believe the types of credentials and access privileges should properly reflect the duties and status of those attending the events. Any adjustments should also be made on a clear legal basis following full explanation and communication with relevant stakeholders,” it said.

All parties involved in the sports event should adhere to the principles of mutual respect and fair treatment and prevent interference from non-sports-related factors, it added.

On Sept. 18, Lee attended an Asian Games flag-raising ceremony in Japan after an hour-long delay, despite an alleged attempt to exclude him.

At the time, officials at the venue said the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) had issued an order barring Lee, but when challenged, they could not produce it, Minister Without Portfolio Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文) said.

Japanese organizers later attributed the delay to miscommunication with the OCA, saying it was not the Taiwan delegation’s fault.

The OCA later said that Lee’s initial exclusion was a misunderstanding, Japanese media reported.

While Lee declined to attend the Asian Para Games’ opening ceremony on Sunday, 25 Taiwanese athletes, coaches and delegation staff joined the parade, led by flag bearers Liu Ya-ting (劉雅婷) and Liu Wei-chi (劉瑋旂), both track-and-field athletes.

Taiwan, which has participated in every edition of the Asian Para Games since 2010, has sent 71 athletes this year.

They are to compete in 12 categories: archery, athletics, badminton, table tennis, boccia, judo, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, taekwondo, wheelchair fencing and wheelchair tennis.