TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan celebrated a historic victory in the WBSC Premier12, defeating Japan to claim the championship. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) honored the national heroes at a banquet on Tuesday (Nov. 26), expressing gratitude and admiration for their achievements. Speaking to the athletes, he expressed his concern for injured players, saying that when the ball hit them, the people's hearts hurt.
Premier Cho highlighted the inspiring performances of injured players Pan Chieh-kai (潘傑楷) and Lin Chia-cheng (林家正) and wished Chiu Chih Cheng (邱智呈) and Chu Yu-hsien (朱育賢) a happy birthday. He announced plans for a new "Ministry of Sports" (運動部) to enhance support for athletes and ensure they can focus on bringing honor to the nation without worries.
Cho praised the team for returning with the title of world No. 1 and thanked everyone involved, including the logistics and administrative teams. "We did it," he said, reflecting on the collective effort. He shared three moving moments from the tournament: Kao Chih-kang's (高志綱) mutual respect with the Japanese team, the unity of the Taiwanese people, and Head Coach Tseng Hao-chu's (曾豪駒) decision to forgo the traditional champagne shower out of respect for the host.
Cho said the government aims to promote unity and harmony among the people by ensuring that the frontline and support teams are part of the national championship team.