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Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009 2:16 pm TWN, By Sofia Wu, CNA

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Government to build 50 sports centers in four years

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The government will build 50 athletics centers, 20 sports parks and a nationwide network of cycling paths over the next four years as part of its efforts to encourage local people to opt for lifestyles of health and sustainability.

Presidential Office spokesman Wang Yu-chi made the remarks Wednesday after President Ma Ying-jeou met earlier in the day with officials from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and the Sports Affairs Council (SAC) to discuss sports infrastructure development plans.

"The two agencies have come up with detailed plans for building new athletics centers and nationwide cycling paths, " Wang said in a late evening news briefing.

According to the plans, the government will construct multifunctional sports centers in 39 selected cities and townships with populations of 150,000 or over and in 11 selected villages with populations of less than 150,000, in the next four years.

"The sports centers will be equipped with all sorts of modern exercise facilities and devices, such as treadmills and cross trainers," Wang said.

For rural villages or townships that do not meet the requirements to host sports centers, the government will help to build new sports parks or renovate existing ones, he added.

Wang said the idea of building athletics centers and sports parks around the country sprang from President Ma's experience in sports infrastructure development in metropolitan Taipei during his tenure as mayor of the capital city from 1998 to 2006.

Meanwhile, Wang said, the transportation ministry will assist local governments in developing five model cycling trails in Taipei County, Yilan County, Hualien County and Taitung County, all of which are known for their tourism resources.

To encourage eco-tourism, Wang said, the ministry will also collaborate with local governments to integrate railway, highway and cycling path networks by developing a convenient system of connections and transfers.

The integrated network development project will be carried out between 2010 and 2012, according to the MOTC plan.

Wang further said President Ma hopes that the relevant government agencies will devise a cycling certification system with the ultimate aim of producing professional cycling tour guides.

"The proposed accreditation system is not aimed at requiring cyclists to undergo national examinations to obtain a license, but at helping cycling fans gain access to professional guides in the field," Wang said, adding that the accreditation system could be operated by private associations.

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Comments

July 23, 2009 nanayen@

Come on! Jobless rate has increased to 5.94% who cares about sports??

July 23, 2009 mia168@

It's just a waste of taxpayers money, and it will be home to flies and mosquitoes.

July 23, 2009 eatshit@

It's all lies again..He is nothing but BS

July 24, 2009 none@

The best spots to bike are not long stretches from city to city but hills and the nice surrounding. Serious cyclist don't look for the flats riding beside the dirty exhaust of cars.

Why is my (taiwan) tax money spent for tourist and not for its own citizens? The bike lane infrastructure in the big cities (even Taipei) is horrible and the worst in the world.

July 24, 2009 pipog1234@

Sports and exercise will help reduce health problems and take pressure off the health care system. It might not have immediate visible returns but in the long run this will help the people be more productive, efficient, healthier, happier which will lead to many intangible benefits. Might even lower crime rates, depression, etc. I support it completely.

July 24, 2009 chusontw@

Nuff said!! By promoting sports, not only will people live healthier lifestyles, it can also create jobs. Look at America, sports is a major job industry!