Taiwan badminton champ Lee Yang rumored to head new Ministry of Sports

Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) Olympic badminton gold medalist Lee Yang (李洋) is rumored to be appointed head of the Ministry of Sports when it is inaugurated on Sept. 9, though the government has neither confirmed nor denied the claim.

Addressing speculation stemming from a report by Taiwanese media organization TVBS claiming Lee will be named Taiwan's first Sports Minister, government spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said Thursday that any changes to the Cabinet will be announced "at an appropriate time."

Born in 1995, Lee partnered with Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟) to win men's doubles gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

If appointed, 30-year-old Lee would be the youngest minister in Taiwan's history.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), who welcomed home Taiwanese athletes from the 2025 Chengdu World Games on Thursday, said the 2026 central government budget allocates more than NT$20 billion (US$655.63 million) for sports.

"With the inauguration of the Ministry of Sport on National Sports Day, we hope to elevate the organizational level, bring in new structures and policies, inject more resources, incorporate interdisciplinary expertise, and create a better environment," Lai said.

Lai praised Team Taiwan for winning five gold, six silver and four bronze medals at the games, the country's best-ever result abroad.

He highlighted the performances of Hsieh Tsung-ting (謝宗庭), who won a lightweight silver medal in powerlifting, Chiang Kai-chieh (江凱傑), who took deadlift middleweight gold, and Yang Sen (楊森), who broke a world record in the squat discipline.

Lai also praised the women's tug-of-war team, which claimed gold with seven consecutive wins and extended its world championship streak to six.

Taiwan's beach korfball team also won gold with six straight victories.

In women's finswimming, Huang Mei-chien (黃渼茜) earned silver on her debut, while He Pin-li (何品莉) set a new national record.

Lai said the new Ministry of Sports will oversee the National Sports Training Center (NSTC), the Taiwan Institute of Sports Science and the National Sports Industry Development Center.

He emphasized that sports symbolize national strength and that the new ministry will provide more support and resources to athletes.

At a separate homecoming banquet for the returning athletes, Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said the ministry will be inaugurated on Sept. 9, adding that the 2026 budget for sports reached a record NT$24.8 billion.

Cho said he hopes Taiwan will host international competitions under its own brand to attract athletes from abroad and stimulate tourism.

"We hope to provide athletes with better training environments during the training process, and that those who will lead the Ministry of Sports in the future will make good use of resources, improve efficiency, and ensure that everyone who wants to win glory for the nation receives full support," Cho said.

Taiwan's premier also said the new ministry will promote "sports for all" and encourage athletes to pass on their experience to strengthen Taiwan's sports industry.