Sports Ministry's Fitness Vouchers Top 500,000 Handouts in First Week

Taiwan's sports ministry, led by Olympic badminton champion Lee Yang, has seen enthusiasm for its newly launched "Sweat and Reward" fitness voucher program, distributing over 500,000 vouchers in its first week alone. The campaign grants a weekly voucher of around US$1.60 to people who record their workouts—such as taking 8,000 daily steps, running 5 km, or cycling 15 km—using time-stamped digital proof. Redeemable at local convenience and grocery stores through November, officials are now considering expanding benefits to encourage broader participation.