Taiwan Today
Date: July 12, 2016

The official opening ceremony of the 50th International Children’s Games,

Officials are all smiles at the launch of the 50th International Children’s Games July 11 in New Taipei City. (CNA)

sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, gets underway at 6 p.m. July 12 in northern Taiwan’s New Taipei City, bringing together over 2,000 participants from 83 cities around the world.

Held every year for children between the ages of 12 and 15, the games allow participants to take part in a variety of cultural activities and sports such as athletics, basketball, handball, soccer, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and volleyball. Taiwan’s representation at the six-day event wrapping up July 16 is drawn from six cities and seven counties nationwide.

According to event organizer New Taipei City Government, the games are an outstanding platform for cultural exchanges between the youth of Taiwan and their counterparts around the world. About 300 students from universities and up to 1,800 senior high schoolers from around the island are volunteering to buddy up with foreign athletes as a way of building friendships and making their stays more memorable and rewarding.     [FULL  STORY]