Contact: Chen Ching-Chü, Press Section
Telephone: 037-559828
Publication Date: January 5, 2026, 14:11
Miaoli County athletes have delivered outstanding performances over the past four months, achieving remarkable results across multiple competitions. Competing in nine sporting disciplines at 15 national tournaments, they secured an impressive total of 37 gold, 44 silver, and 35 bronze medals. On the morning of January 5, County Magistrate Chung Tung-Chin hosted a commendation ceremony at the International Conference Hall to honor 188 outstanding athletes and coaches, presenting more than NT$1.04 million in awards. He praised their strength and dedication in enhancing Miaoli’s reputation as a major sports county and expressed appreciation to local enterprises for their generous support in development local sports.
During the event, Magistrate Chung also voiced strong dissatisfaction after learning that the central government had informed the county—citing the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures—that it would no longer subsidize funding for newly constructed classrooms. He criticized the central authorities for failing to disclose clear fiscal data related to the Act, thereby creating uncertainty and confusion. Chung emphasized that Miaoli contributes significant tax revenue and water and electricity supplies—far exceeding many other counties—yet receives a lower fiscal allocation than Pingtung and Chiayi counties. He further pointed out that Miaoli continues to lag behind in healthcare standards and correctional facilities, describing the situation as fundamentally unfair and stating that the central government has long failed Miaoli. He called on relevant ministries to fulfill their responsibility to give the county the attention it deserves.
According to Yeh Hsin-Hui, Director of the Education Department, the athletes and coaches honored at the ceremony competed nationwide between September and December 2025, participating in nine sports disciplines, including athletics, taekwondo, judo, karate, wrestling, dodgeball, dance, volleyball, and sport stacking, bringing home a total of 116 medals. A total of NT$1,040,650 in awards was distributed to 188 recipients. To further promote sports development, the county government plans to allocate an additional NT$28 million in funding this year to incentivize athletes and coaches who bring honor to both Taiwan and Miaoli (a detailed list of award recipients is provided in the appendix.)
Highlighting several notable achievements, Yeh noted that 12 schools—including Jian Guo Junior High School—won seven gold, seven silver, and two bronze medals at the 17th National Taekwondo Poomsae Championships. Five schools, including Jhong Jheng Elementary School, earned two gold, six silver, and eight bronze medals at the 2025 National Judo Championships. Mei Yuan Elementary School and Yuanli Senior High School captured six gold, five silver, and two bronze medals at the President’s Cup National Wrestling Championships, demonstrating the success of the county’s three-tier athlete development system.
In addition, four athletes from Jaunan Elementary School—Lin Yi-En, Wu Chi-Hua, Hu Yung-Hsin, and Lo Yi-Hsuan—won gold in the boys’ elementary school 800-meter relay at the Taipei Autumn Cup Athletics Open, setting a new meet record and showcasing exceptional speed and perseverance. The Yuanli Elementary School volleyball team claimed one gold and one silver medal at the Yungshin Cup Volleyball Championships, while Yuanli Senior High School earned one silver and one bronze medal, highlighting the county’s strong volleyball potential.
Magistrate Chung congratulated all athletes and coaches, noting that their hard work had produced tangible results. He also thanked local businesses for their continued investment in sports, as well as school principals, parents, and elected representatives for their unwavering support that enables young athletes to pursue their interests and strengths. He added that beyond the sports already excelling at national competitions, Miaoli also shows strong potential in badminton, volleyball, basketball, and even bridge, expressing confidence that sustained cultivation will yield limitless future opportunities.
However, the celebratory atmosphere was tempered by a notice from the Ministry of Education stating that, due to provisions related to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, subsidies for new classroom construction sought by local governments would be discontinued. According to the Education Department, this single official letter could jeopardize plans for the construction of 30 new classrooms at Toufen Junior High School, as well as campus development projects at Wen Lin Junior High School—some of which had already entered the planning stage—creating significant uncertainty. The county government is currently drafting response measures.
Magistrate Chung candidly stated that he was “shocked and furious” at the notice. He criticized the central government for failing to fully understand Miaoli’s fiscal classification under the revenue allocation system. While he does not entirely oppose the ruling party’s proposal, he stressed that transparency in financial data is essential. Applying pressure solely on legislators without openly presenting the figures, he argued, only fuels political turmoil. He emphasized that political issues should be resolved through negotiation to avoid widespread hardship.
Chung further illustrated that although Miaoli contributes more in tax revenue, it receives a lower fiscal allocation than Pingtung and Chiayi, clearly indicating that the county has been treated unfairly. In terms of healthcare, he expressed hope for the establishment of high-standard medical institutions across northern, central, and southern Miaoli. Yet the construction of critical-care and cancer treatment buildings at a Ministry-affiliated hospital has been delayed for five years, resulting in relatively limited healthcare capacity. He stressed that the Ministry of Health and Welfare bears responsibility for providing targeted assistance to accelerate upgrades. In education, Chung pointed out that the county lacks senior high schools and higher education institutions that students aspire to attend, calling the situation unacceptable and urging local sectors to unite to help reverse this trend.