Pingtung Indigenous Games Kick Off June 19; Urban Indigenous Teams Join for First Time

(CNA, Pingtung, May 29) The 2nd Pingtung County Indigenous Games will take place from June 19 to 21 at Laiyi High School, with the torch lit today. In addition to representative teams from indigenous townships within the county, this year's competition includes urban indigenous representative teams for the first time. A press conference for the "2026 2nd Pingtung County Indigenous Games" was held today at the Pingtung County Government, where County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi and torchbearers lit the flame, signaling the official start of the games. Chou stated that the National Indigenous Games are held every two years, and to provide local athletes with a better platform and training opportunities before the official event, the county is hosting its 2nd Indigenous Games this year. She welcomed the public to visit Laiyi High School to watch the games. Chou noted that indigenous people have always shown outstanding talent in art and sports, and Pingtung has the fourth-largest indigenous population in the country. This year, 17 competition categories are planned, including popular sports like basketball, track and field, volleyball, and badminton, as well as traditional indigenous sports like tug-of-war and archery, showcasing the diverse athletic energy of the indigenous community. KMT Pingtung County Councilor Pan Tsui-yun welcomed the addition of urban indigenous teams, expressing hope for great results. The Pingtung County Indigenous Affairs Department stated that the theme is "Power Up! mipiculi," with "mipiculi" meaning "let's work hard together" in the Paiwan language, conveying the spirit of unity. The games are divided into general and traditional categories, including track and field, basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, and health aerobics, as well as traditional archery, hunting, road racing, wrestling, tug-of-war, log-carrying relays, wood-sawing relays, net-casting, and spear-throwing. An indigenous market will also be held during the opening ceremony on June 19.