The Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) hosted the 2024 Paris Olympics Indigenous Athletes Awards Banquet last night (September 20) at the Grand Hotel Taipei, where CIP Minister Ljaucu Zingrur personally presented certificates of recognition and monetary awards to honor Taiwan's indigenous athletes. The event celebrated their outstanding achievements, expressing pride in their accomplishments and encouraging them to reach even greater heights.

Minister Zingrur commended the impressive performance of indigenous athletes, whose talents often draw international attention at global competitions. Among the highlights of this year's Paris Olympics was Tayal shooter Lee Meng-yuan's historic win, securing Taiwan's first-ever shooting medal—a bronze in skeet. Amis weightlifter Tana (Kuo Hsing-chun) in the 59 kg category and boxer Chen Nien-chin in the 66 kg category also clinched bronze medals through relentless effort. Tsou weightlifter Fang Wan-ling set a new national record in the 49 kg category, finishing in a commendable 6th place. Through unwavering dedication, these athletes have made Taiwan proud and inspired their communities.

Noting the contributions of all 13 indigenous athletes who represented Taiwan at the Paris Olympics, Minister Zingrur emphasized the CIP's continued support through the Directions for Indigenous Specialized Talents Awards, providing ongoing encouragement to aim higher and perform stronger. Furthermore, representing the nation in world-class international multi-sport events is no small feat. To encourage those athletes who did not win medals, acknowledge their dedication and years of rigorous training, and express gratitude to their coaches for their diligent effort in nurturing indigenous athletes, the CIP has implemented a special program this year to award bonuses to both participating athletes and their coaches.

Looking ahead, Minister Zingrur shared that CIP is formulating a Grassroots Indigenous Athlete Development Program, set to run from 2025 to 2028. The initiative will allocate NT$200 million annually to nurture indigenous athletic talent and strengthen the support network for indigenous sports excellence. This CIP program aims to empower athletes to continue thriving on the global stage, honoring and advancing the legacy of indigenous sports for future generations.