Suncheon-si, the 61st Jeollanam-do Sports Festival Opens on the 20th

Provincial Unity 'Sports Hanmadang' Opens in Suncheon

[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] The 61st Jeollanam-do Sports Festival, a sports festival pledging the unity and eternal progress of 2 million Jeollanam-do residents under the slogan "Jeonnam Sports Festival united in the ecological capital Suncheon," will open on the 20th in Suncheon, the "Ecological Capital of Korea," and will be held over four days until the 23rd.

Hosted by the Jeonnam Sports Council and organized by Suncheon City and the 61st Jeonnam Sports Festival Organizing Committee, this event will feature more than 7,000 athletes and officials from 22 cities and counties competing in 24 events including athletics, swimming, soccer, tennis, jeonggu, volleyball, table tennis, and boxing in a city and county competition format.

The opening ceremony will take place on the 20th at Suncheon Palma Sports Complex under the theme "A New Hymn of Suncheon."

Before the opening ceremony, a pre-event titled "People Becoming One" will begin at 4 p.m. to welcome the city and county teams visiting Suncheon.

The opening ceremony, starting at 5 p.m., will conclude with the entrance of the 22 city and county teams beginning with Wando County, the next host city, followed by the opening declaration, raising of the tournament flag, oath-taking by athlete and referee representatives, and the lighting of the torch.

Following this, from 6:30 p.m., a public post-ceremony event will feature congratulatory performances by popular singers including idol group SF9, adult pop singers Song Ga-in, Jang Min-ho, and Kim Yeon-ja, marking the grand finale of the opening event.

Suncheon City formed a Jeonnam Sports Festival TF team last November and has completed preparations for smooth event operation, including stadium renovations. The city is also fully committed to creating a festive atmosphere enjoyed by 290,000 Suncheon citizens and 2 million Jeollanam-do residents, as well as preparing for orderly and warm hospitality.

In particular, with more than 10,000 spectators expected on the day of the opening ceremony, on-site pre-inspections have been conducted to address any shortcomings. Safety measures include deploying medical personnel on-site, establishing an ambulance dispatch system within 5 minutes, designating and operating hospitals for moderate and mild patients, inspecting fire extinguishers and hydrants, installing evacuation guidance facilities, and conducting training for officials and safety management personnel.

Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon, said, "Sports have the power to unite people's hearts." He added, "Through this sports festival, I hope that the people of Jeollanam-do, who have passed through the dark and long tunnel of COVID-19, can come together and share friendship."