A flag presentation ceremony for the 2021 Austronesian Traditional Sports Competition took place March 18, underscoring the government’s commitment to deepening Taiwan’s ties with partners across the Indo-Pacific.
 
Presided over by Icyang Parod, minister of the Cabinet-level Council of Indigenous Peoples, the event was attended by Papua New Guinea Trade Office in Taiwan Rep. Tommy Kambu Kunji and 21 members of the Austronesian Youth United team hailing from Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu and the Philippines.
 
According to the minister, this is the first time in 22 years that athletes from abroad are participating in National Indigenous Games hosted alongside the main event. By competing in traditional sports activities such as archery, wood-sawing and weight carrying, participants will familiarize themselves with local customs, he added.
 
Icyang Parod made the remarks during the ceremony at CIP headquarters in New Taipei City. As chair of the Austronesian Forum, the minister presented the team flag, which symbolizes the traditional spirit and vitality of Austronesian peoples, to delegation leader Kunji.
 
The event concluded with an Atayal elder from Wulai District in New Taipei City blessing the team.
 
The four-day sports competition kicks off March 19 in northeastern Taiwan’s Yilan County. (DL-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw