TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Olympic badminton champion Lee Yang (李洋) emerged Thursday (Aug. 21) as the leading candidate to head Taiwan's new Ministry of Sports (運動部) under the Executive Yuan Taiwan's cabinet, according to media reports. Current Sports Administration Director-General Cheng Shih-chung (鄭世忠) would reportedly assume the deputy minister role when the ministry officially launches Sept. 9. Government officials plan to announce the ministerial appointment after Aug. 23, coinciding with Taiwan's National Sports Day celebrations that will mark the new agency's debut.
Lee Yang's representative expressed appreciation for public interest while declining to comment on the speculation, stating no official notification had been received regarding the appointment. Cheng Shih-chung confirmed to TVBS News his lack of knowledge about personnel decisions, emphasizing that formal announcements remain the exclusive domain of Taiwan's cabinet the Executive Yuan. The cautious responses from both camps reflect standard protocol surrounding high-level government appointments in Taiwan's political system.
Multiple prominent sports figures have surfaced as potential ministerial candidates, including Deputy Minister of Education Chang Liao Wan-chien (張廖萬堅), Olympic weightlifting champion Kuo Hsing-chun (郭婞淳), and professional tennis player Lu Yen-hsun (盧彥勳). Kuo publicly acknowledged at a recent event that government officials approached her for the position but she declined the opportunity. The weightlifting star cited insufficient administrative experience as her primary reason for turning down the high-profile government role.
Executive Yuan Taiwan's cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) provided assurance during a press conference that the government would deliver timely updates regarding personnel decisions and organizational changes. Her statement addressed mounting media speculation about the Ministry of Sports leadership while maintaining official protocol surrounding appointment announcements. The spokesperson's measured response reflects the administration's commitment to transparent communication while preserving the formal announcement process for significant government appointments. ◼
