The National Sports Festival for Students with Disabilities and the National Youth Sports Festival, held from the 17th to the 31st of last month, have concluded.
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gui-yeol] Under the slogan "Dreaming Gyeongsangbuk-do! Hopeful Republic of Korea!", the National Disabled Students Sports Festival and the National Youth Sports Festival were successfully concluded over eight days from the 17th to the 31st of last month.
With the lifting of social distancing, spectators including parents filled the stands, making the event a boon not only for the recovery of daily life for people exhausted by COVID-19 through sports but also for national unity and revitalization of the local economy.
This year, athletes and officials totaling 20,982 from 17 cities and provinces participated in 53 events, showcasing their honed skills to the fullest. The festivals served as an opportunity to discover and nurture outstanding student athletes as well as to foster harmony and friendship.
The Youth (Disabled Students) Sports Festival did not rank or tally medals by city or province to eliminate excessive competition between regions, and only individual awards by event were given, operating in line with the purpose of the Student Sports Festival.
The opening ceremony of the Disabled Students Sports Festival featured the raising of the tournament flag and a theme performance that introduced Gyeongbuk with a dynamic and spectacular stage by Korea's only one-legged b-boy dancer and cutting-edge stage production using immersive media visuals.
The subsequent congratulatory performance provided an enjoyable time for spectators and athletes alike, as if they were attending a concert.
During the event, about 1,400 volunteers worked throughout the venues to guide spectators and provide conveniences, contributing to the smooth progress of the festival and showcasing the true spirit of volunteers as the third athletes of the games nationwide.
The province set up a comprehensive control room at Gumi Citizens Stadium and concentrated administrative efforts on smooth event operations including transportation, accommodation, medical services, and volunteer management.
In particular, prioritizing the safety of athletes and spectators, the festival was successfully completed without any incidents or accidents.
Kim Sang-cheol, Director of Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province, said, "With the normal hosting of the festival after two years of suspension, it became a hopeful event overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and moving toward a new future," adding, "We will thoroughly prepare for next year's National Sports for All Festival to use nationwide comprehensive sports festivals as a turning point for revitalizing the local economy and improving people's livelihoods."
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