Lee Yang, Olympic Medalist, Will Lead Taiwan’s Sports Ministry
The Taiwanese government has confirmed the appointment of Lee Yang, a renowned Olympic medalist in badminton, as the new minister in charge of the newly created Ministry of Sports. The appointment will take effect from September 9, as part of a government restructuring. Lee, 30 years old, reached the pinnacle of sporting success by winning the gold medal in the men’s doubles category at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, alongside his partner Wang Chi-lin. This appointment will make him the youngest minister in the history of Taiwan, according to reports. Taiwan’s President William Lai has expressed his commitment to sports development, announcing the allocation of over 20 billion Taiwanese dollars (approximately 653 million US dollars) to the sports sector in 2026.The new Ministry of Sports will be responsible for overseeing important sports institutions, including the National Sports Training Center, the Taiwan Institute of Sports Science, and the National Sports Industry Development Center. President Lai had anticipated this Executive reshuffle, in a political context marked by challenges, including the failure of a referendum on the reactivation of a nuclear power plant and votes to remove lawmakers. The leader is facing a delicate political moment, with approval ratings at their lowest levels since taking office, influenced by various setbacks, including the imposition of tariffs on Taiwanese products by the United States.With the inauguration of the Ministry of Sports on National Sports Day, we hope to raise the organizational level, implement new structures and policies, inject more resources, incorporate interdisciplinary experience, and create a better environment.
William Lai, President of Taiwan
