Building a Healthy City Starts with Children! Liang Yu-Tzu Proposes Youth Sports Card Policy – Annual Budget of NT$40 Million, Monthly Subsidy of NT$200 for Ages 6–15

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Pingtung mayoral candidate Liang Yu-Tzu unveiled a new sports policy today (20), proposing the 'Youth Sports Card.' The plan involves an annual investment of NT$40 million to provide every child and adolescent aged 6 to 15 registered in Pingtung City with a monthly subsidy of NT$200, amounting to a maximum of NT$2,400 per year. These funds can be used at the National Sports Center and various sports programs, encouraging children to develop consistent exercise routines while also reducing the financial burden on families.

Liang emphasized that while the central government has recently promoted nationwide fitness through initiatives such as establishing a Ministry of Sports, launching youth sports vouchers, sports coins, and various athletic subsidies, local governments should further enhance these efforts to ensure sports resources truly integrate into children’s daily lives.

The proposed 'Youth Sports Card' will target children and adolescents aged 6 to 15, providing each with a monthly subsidy of NT$200, totaling up to NT$2,400 annually. Priority will be given to usage at the National Sports Center. Additionally, the city government will collaborate with single-sport associations, fitness teams, and other professional organizations to offer diverse children’s sports programs. This allows children to explore different sports based on their interests, increasing their opportunities to participate.

She stressed that children are in a critical stage of growth, and regular exercise not only strengthens physical health but also helps cultivate disciplined lifestyles and teamwork skills. Therefore, policies must go beyond hardware development and simultaneously improve sports services and incentives for participation.

Liang noted that she previously proposed comprehensive upgrades to the National Sports Center’s facilities and management quality. The 'Youth Sports Card' complements these improvements by connecting infrastructure development with welfare policies, aiming to transform Pingtung City’s sports environment from merely having facilities to one where people actively use them, want to use them, and continue using them.

"Investing in children’s health is investing in Pingtung’s future," Liang stated. Moving forward, she plans to start with youth and continuously expand sports participation resources, making physical activity an integral part of children’s lives and gradually building a 'Healthy Pingtung, Vibrant City.'