‘A Dream Brighter Than Medals’ Gyeongbuk Province Opens National Disabled Students Sports Competition

First Held in Gyeongbuk After 3 Years Since the 2019 Jeonbuk Competition

17 Events at 16 Venues Including Gumi, 4 Days of Intense Competition

Gyeongbuk Provincial Government Office.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] The 16th National Disabled Students Sports Festival began its four-day competition from the 17th to the 20th across Gyeongbuk, starting with the opening ceremony at Park Chung-hee Gymnasium in Gumi City.

The opening ceremony was attended by Chung Jin-wan, President of the Korea Paralympic Committee, Kang Seong-jo, Acting Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, Kang Dae-geum, Sports Cooperation Officer of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and others, who offered enthusiastic support and encouragement to the participating athletes.

Gyeongbuk Province focused on expressing mutual understanding and communication between people with and without disabilities under the theme "Hope with an Open Heart! Future with a Challenging Spirit!" during the 120-minute stage of emotion and harmony at the opening ceremony.

The beautiful melodies of the nation’s first disabled orchestra, the “Malgeun Sori Harmonica Ensemble,” marked the start of the event. The official program proceeded in the order of opening ceremony announcement, athletes’ entrance, opening declaration, welcome speech, raising of the competition flag, and theme performance.

At the theme performance, Kim Wan-hyuk, Korea’s only one-legged b-boy, delivered a dynamic and dazzling performance, conveying a message of hope to students dreaming of challenges and maximizing the event’s atmosphere.

Along with splendid performances by local artists, a cutting-edge stage was created using immersive media videos befitting Gyeongbuk, the capital of the metaverse, contributing to promoting the region.

Following the ceremony, the post-event featured a spectacular congratulatory performance by singer Park Seo-jin, known as the “God of Janggu,” and the girl group VIVIZ, celebrating the opening of the National Disabled Students Sports Festival and boosting the morale of the athletes.

Additionally, in front of the north gate of Park Chung-hee Gymnasium, various side events such as tourism and agricultural specialty product promotion booths, robot operation experiences, clown balloon art, juggling, and magic shows were held, creating a festive atmosphere enjoyed by athletes, families, and residents attending the opening ceremony.

Kang Seong-jo, Acting Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, said, “It is very meaningful to start a new step in disabled student sports in Gyeongbuk after a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope this competition becomes a hopeful event where participants overcome their limits and move toward a new future.”

The 16th National Disabled Students Sports Festival is hosted by the Korea Paralympic Committee, organized by Gyeongbuk Province, Gyeongbuk Office of Education, and Gyeongbuk Disabled Sports Association, and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Education. It is held in eight cities and counties in the region.

About 4,000 athletes and officials from elementary, middle, and high schools participate in 17 sports.

The 51st National Youth Sports Festival will be held for four days from the 28th to the 31st of this month in 11 cities and counties centered around Gumi, with about 17,000 participants including athletes and officials from elementary and middle schools competing in 36 sports.