[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The '2023 Yanggu Peace Cup Defectors and Multicultural Soccer Festival' successfully concluded on the 5th.
On the second day of the tournament, the round of 16 knockout matches and the main competition games were held consecutively. The 16 teams of defectors and multicultural players competed fiercely with high-level skills to determine the champion. The championship went to VODIY FC, a multicultural team from Uzbekistan. The winning team received 2 million KRW, the runner-up 1.5 million KRW, third place 1 million KRW, fourth place 500,000 KRW, Fair Play team 300,000 KRW, Best team 200,000 KRW, and Inspiring Peace team 100,000 KRW in prize money (Yanggu Love Gift Certificates). Individual awards included Best Coach, Excellent Coach, Best Player, Excellent Player, MVP, Top Scorer, Best Attacker, Best Midfielder, Best Defender, Best GK, Best Goal, Fair Play, and Respect awards.
The tournament was held on the 4th and 5th at Yanggu Sports Complex in Yanggu County, Gangwon Province, with the purpose of supporting the adaptation of new members of society such as defectors and multicultural families and contributing to global social responsibility. SH Sports Agency (CEO Moon Seong-hwan), which is dedicated to the development of Korean soccer and the establishment and support of soccer infrastructure for socially marginalized groups, hosted and organized the event. It was sponsored by Yanggu County, Yanggu County Sports Foundation, Pocheon Ginseng Agricultural Cooperative, Haha Mask, KBS Sports Arts Science Institute, HIGHSOL, Footballist, Sun Medical Center, Arcobaleno Wonju Branch, AIRDOME_SH, Gopchang Sanghoe, and Monggo Wangjuga.
2023 Yanggu Peace Cup North Korean Defectors and Multicultural Soccer Festival Photo by SH Sports Agency
Jeong Ui-seong, chairman of the defector team participating in this festival, said, “In difficult economic times, I needed a turning point in life, and it was good to see defectors unite and become one through soccer at this tournament. I hope this event continues continuously, not just as a one-time event.” Moon Seong-hwan, CEO of SH Sports Agency, the host and organizer, said, “I sincerely thank Seo Heung-won, the young mayor of Yanggu, the geographical center of the country, and the executives and staff of the Yanggu County Sports Foundation, who spared no support both materially and spiritually to hold this soccer festival for defectors and multicultural teams who need warm attention in difficult times. We look forward to support and sponsorship from domestic government departments and many companies for this event, which started with a soccer ball as the beginning of peace between North and South Korea and as a starting point for harmony beyond Asia to the world.”
[Match Results]
Champion: VODIY FC (Multicultural Uzbekistan)
Runner-up: Vietnam2 FC (Multicultural Vietnam)
3rd Place: SHIHUENG FC (Multicultural Uzbekistan)
4th Place: Raulorot FC (Multicultural Uzbekistan)
Fair Play Team: Hambuk FC (Defectors)
Best Team: Wiro FC (Defectors)
Inspiring Peace Team: Brother FC (Multicultural China)
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