Protests disrupt Taipei games

Angry: Locals used the Games to show their disapproval of President Tsai Ing-wen. Courtesy photo

Taiwan.

It was a grey moment for the thousands of sportsmen and women attending the opening ceremony of the 2017 World University Games in Taipei, Taiwan after protests outside the main venue disrupted proceedings.
‘Ladies and gentlemen for your safety, we shall not be able to continue with the march. Please wait in your sections and a bus will take you back to your accommodation’, came the announcement on the PA system in the multipurpose Taipei (indoor) Arena, which was acting as a holding place for the various delegations before they paraded into the main stadium each behind their country’s flag.
A wave of gloom swept across the entire stadium as shocked athletes and officials anxiously waited with eyes glued to the screen where a games steward walked in with the China flag sans attendant delegation, followed by several other countries’ flags.
Athletes and officials of a number of other countries which were in the next batch for the marchpast returned to the holding arena and took their seats as the ceremony in the main stadium continued awkwardly with many of the visitors wondering who the protesters were and what the protests were about.
Event organizers did not disclose what the protests were about either but about 30 daunting minutes later, another announcement was made that the teams would march into their stadium, albeit not behind individual flags. Taiwan has been hit by a series of protests over since President Tsai Ing-wen of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office in May last year.
Local media reported presence or protesters opposed to the government’s recent reform of “unfair pensions” who clashed with a pro-DPP group and as Team Uganda arrived at the stadium, they found pro-unification protesters with slogans opposed to Taiwan’s autonomy and advocating for a united China. Earlier in the day, another group of protesters was seen shouting slogans outside the Athletes Village in Linkou City, right outside the block where Team Uganda is staying.
Despite the blotch on the program, sports prevailed over politics at what turned out to be a colourful ceremony blending music, lights, technology, culture and fireworks into one unifying celebration of the games, the Far East Island’s largest event.
Tsai Ing-wen who was present at the event declared the games open, although she did not give a speech. FISU (International Federation of University Sports) President Oleg Matytsin thanked Taipei for its warm welcome and said he had only one request - that the crowd continue to cheer on the athletes over the course of the games.
The host city’s mayor Ko Wen-je used his speech to wish participating athletes success in their pursuit of higher achievements so they will can leave a beautiful marks in the lives of the city’s youthful population.
The Ugandans stood out in their traditional wear of Kanzus with jackets and Kikooyis ganerring so much attention and admiration from fellow athletes, organisers and onlookers, many asking to take pictures with the team or just of the team.
Business started yesterday morning with Avice Meya and Ronald Segwaanyi in the swimming pool and the Athletics and basketball teams doing their first training.