Gyeonggi-do Prepares Safety Measures Against Rain and Cold Ahead of Korea-Ghana Match Citizen Support Event

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Gwanggyo New Office Building

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has prepared safety measures for the citizen cheering event for the '2022 Qatar World Cup Group H match between Korea and Ghana' held on the 28th.

Gyeonggi Province announced that, with rain and a cold wave forecast for the day, it has prepared safety measures for the citizen cheering event at the main stadium of Suwon World Cup Stadium, including operating rain-covered seats and placing tents for cold weather preparedness.

The cheering event on the day will be conducted in the same way as the Uruguay match on the 24th, cheering together with the football team supporters group 'Red Devils' local branch. However, since the Ghana match is scheduled at 10 PM with temperatures dropping to as low as 6 degrees Celsius and rain forecasted, the province decided to significantly change the seating and traffic flow.

Unlike the previous Uruguay match, where the grass field was opened in preparation for rain, the province will operate only the west stands 1st and 2nd floors (a total of 11,270 seats) with rain covers as cheering seats. Accordingly, without installing a separate large screen, the existing stadium electronic scoreboard (905 inches in size, one each at the north and south stands, totaling two) will broadcast the match video.

For cold wave measures, the province will operate eight tents equipped with heaters and hot water containers at the west and north stands. Additionally, at the west entrance gates (1A, 1B), 10,000 hot packs, 8,000 seat cushions, and 5,000 raincoats will be prepared and distributed to participants of the cheering event.

Furthermore, to prepare for safety accidents, a total of 344 personnel including Gyeonggi Province and Suwon City officials, Gyeonggi World Cup Stadium Management Foundation staff, police, fire, and security personnel will be deployed on site. The Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters will station four ambulances and one fire truck to respond to emergencies.

A provincial official explained, "If you want to participate in the citizen cheering event, you can enter through the main stadium west stand entrances 1A and 1B starting from 7 PM, three hours before the match time, without any separate application process," adding, "Alcohol, fireworks, and other hazardous items are prohibited from being brought in upon entry."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon posted on his social media on the 25th, "Our young people showed a mature attitude by cheering passionately while maintaining order and consideration for each other. It is our public responsibility to safely protect their enthusiasm," and added, "The second cheering event for the match against Ghana will also be held at Suwon World Cup Stadium. I firmly believe that many people will gather and safely enjoy the victory."