The 2026 National Disabled Games in New Taipei City Grandly Opens Shining Beyond Barriers, Displaying the Spirit of Equality, Inclusion, and Integration
The Opening Ceremony of the 2026 National Disabled Games in New Taipei City (the Games) was held on the afternoon of May 23 at Xinzhuang Gymnasium. Premier Cho Jung-Tai, Minister of Sports Lee Yang, and New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-Ih attended the event to cheer on athletes, coaches, and team officials from across Taiwan, officially marking the opening of the Games.
Premier Cho stated that the government attaches great importance to the development of sports for people with disabilities. With the establishment of the Ministry of Sports (MOS) and the creation of the Department of Adapted Sports, the right of people with disabilities to participate in sports has been incorporated into national sports policy, advancing sports equity and fostering an accessible and inclusive sporting environment where everyone can participate on an equal basis. He encouraged the athletes with a quote from veteran Paralympic archer Tseng Lung-Hui: “Never doubt your abilities, because you never know how much power you can truly unleash.” He also expressed his hope that Taiwan’s representatives at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games will achieve outstanding results and bring honor to both themselves and the nation. Premier Cho also thanked Mayor Hou and his team for creating a comprehensive and athlete-friendly competition environment under the spirit of “United in Purpose, Striving Together,” while providing top-quality support services for athletes, coaches, and technical officials. He encouraged the public to take part in the Games and highlighted the importance of central-local cooperation in fostering a more inclusive society and greater support for people with disabilities.
Mayor Ho Yu-Ih noted that the Games are not only a competitive sporting event but also a people-centered service innovation and a stage that belongs to everyone. He expressed hope that the values of respect, inclusion, and unity will continue to flourish. More than 5,000 athletes, coaches, and team officials from around Taiwan have gathered for this year’s Games. Guided by the concept of a “service-oriented Games,” New Taipei City has integrated medical services, athlete protection, transportation, and daily-life support so that every participant can compete with confidence and peace of mind, fully demonstrate their athletic abilities, and build friendships through interaction while advancing sports equity and urban inclusion.
The opening performance, themed “Embracing One Another, Dancing Without Barriers,” took the form of a musical production. Performers from diverse backgrounds shared the stage, conveying the values of understanding, inclusion, and unity. The pre-show featured performances by New Taipei Municipal New Taipei Special School, Nengren Home Economic And Commercial Vocational High School and Shih Hsin University. The main program brought together students from the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts, Hua Kang Arts School, Xiulang Elementary School, Qingshui High School, Minyi Elementary School, Mingde High School, and Shu Jen High School of Home Economics & Commerce, alongside inclusive performing arts groups, the Chinese Taipei Wheelchair Dance Sport Association, and the New Taipei City Sports Federation. Together, they highlighted the values of equality, accessibility, and inclusion. The finale featured Golden Melody Award-winning singer and judoka Hsiao Huang-Chi, whose moving performance brought the opening ceremony to a memorable close. The ceremony reached its climax when Asian Para Games badminton athlete Wu Yu-Yen and coach Cheng Chun-Yi entered with the torch amid virtual animation effects and lit the sacred flame, officially declaring the Games open. The Athletes’ Night celebration that followed featured performances by U:NUS, Where Chou, GENBLUE, and Bii, bringing the evening to life and creating lasting memories for athletes and guests.
According to the MOS, the Games are organized around sports featured in the Paralympic Games, Asian Para Games, Deaflympics, and Special Olympics. The Games featured 11 competitive sports—track and field, swimming, badminton, table tennis, tennis, powerlifting, shooting, basketball, bowling, archery, and boccia—as well as five Special Olympics friendship events: Special Olympics badminton, Special Olympics bowling, Special Olympics bocce, Special Olympics roller skating, and Special Olympics basketball. Participants included athletes with physical, intellectual, hearing, and visual impairments.
The Games were held from May 23 to 26, bringing together athletes from across Taiwan in a celebration of sportsmanship, inclusion, and excellence. For schedules, broadcasts, and related information, please visit the official website: https://www.sport115ntpc.com/