Gangwon-do to Focus on Developing 'Sports Clubs' Starting This Year

Expansion of Designated Sports Clubs and Provision of Various Incentives

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Gangwon Province announced on the 9th that "to support systematic exercise and expand exchanges among recreational athletes by forming a sports culture centered on sports clubs, it plans to actively promote the development of sports clubs starting this year."

Photo materials [Asia Economy DB]

In particular, the government established the 'Sports Club Act' last year to provide a legal basis for administrative and financial support to revitalize sports clubs.

The province plans to significantly expand support by increasing the number of 'designated sports clubs' from 69 last year to 120 this year.

A 'designated sports club' is appointed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and receives benefits such as reduced fees for using local government sports facilities and national funding support. Last year, three sports clubs in the province were designated.

The province plans to survey the status of sports clubs within the province in the first half of the year and lay the foundation for designation as a designated sports club through registration of sports clubs in cities and counties.

Additionally, regarding the reduction of sports facility usage fees under the 'Sports Club Act,' the province intends to complete regulatory revisions in cooperation with cities and counties.

Meanwhile, in foreign countries, sports clubs serve as a core function responsible for recreational sports, connecting professional sports and recreational sports, and have been advancing national sports.

Kim Dong-jun, Director of the Sports Division, said, "Gangwon Province will closely cooperate with the provincial sports council, including cities and counties, to create an environment for recreational sports that all residents can easily and freely enjoy and to foster sports clubs."