Gu-Bao Baseball Team May Move Schools; Hou Yu-ih: Keep the Roots in New Taipei to Protect the Baseball Spirit

(Central News Agency reporter Cao Yayan, New Taipei 12th) New Taipei City's Ku-Pao Vocational High School is reportedly undergoing a transformation, and its baseball team may move to another school. Mayor Hou Yu-ih stated today that the city government has not yet received any plan from Ku-Pao to close or stop enrollment. However, regardless of the future, the city government will fully support and protect the baseball spirit of Ku-Pao, keeping its roots in New Taipei.

Impacted by the declining birthrate, the private Ku-Pao Vocational High School in New Taipei City plans to stop enrolling students in its current vocational programs in 2027 (the 116th year of the Republic of China) and transition into a bilingual K-12 school. Tsai Ming-tang, the founder of the Ku-Pao baseball team, revealed that they are planning to move the team to Sanchong High School, sparking attention.

During an inspection of grassroots governance and infrastructure in Xinzhuang District today, Mayor Hou stated, "The New Taipei City Government has not yet received any plans from Ku-Pao Vocational High School to close, stop enrollment, or change its operations. However, Ku-Pao Vocational High School is indeed facing the challenge of transformation. The city government has always taken care of grassroots athletes. We hope to provide athletes with more guarantees in training and sports science. This spirit will never change."

Mayor Hou said, "Regardless of the future direction of Ku-Pao Vocational High School, the city government will fully support and protect the baseball spirit of Ku-Pao. Currently, many professional baseball players in Japan and Taiwan are alumni of Ku-Pao Vocational High School. I am very proud and grateful for this. We will continue to uphold the baseball spirit of Ku-Pao Vocational High School and keep its roots in New Taipei."