According to local media reports, a sports coach at the National Taiwan University formally apologized for a research project, allegedly involving her coercive student donation.
Chou Tai-ying, 61, said her intention was to help her team “because I only have a few players and I’m often injured”, but the exact purpose of the blood is not yet clear.
Taiwanese politician Chen Pei-Yu exposed the case in 2024 and accused students of being told they would lose credits if they did not attend.
Taipei Taiwan National Normal University (NTNU) conducted an internal investigation and later found that blood sampling began in 2019 and continued until 2024 for different “research projects.”
Taiwan Focus News reported that on Saturday, he apologized for asking non-qualified students to help with the blood withdrawal of the coach, who apologized for “any reckless words and behaviors” to the school and students.
“It is absolutely my fault to make you feel your way,” she told the students through a statement.
Professor Chen Hsueh-Chih, the head of one of the unspecified research projects, also apologized.
The purpose is to help student-athletes, he said, but admits that it has unconsciously caused harm to them and their families.
Internal investigations show that students have blood once a day. After the investigation found the shortcomings of the blood draw method, the sample was thrown away.
Chen Pei-Yu initially claimed that the research project required players to give three blood samples for 14 consecutive days. She said players must participate in the program within a few years.
NTNU principal Wu Cheng-Chi apologized on Saturday for his alleged school negligence. He said the agency’s ethics and oversight procedures will be reviewed.
Taiwan’s deputy education minister said the case will be reviewed by its department and Chou and Chen’s actions.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education said Thursday it could revoke the NTNU women’s football coach’s coaching license without naming individuals.
