Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member Yoo Young-il: "School Sports Facilities Must Be Opened to Revitalize Local Sports Clubs"

Gyeonggi Provincial Council Urban Environment Committee member Yoo Young-il (People Power Party, Anyang 5) is delivering a 5-minute free speech at the 2nd plenary session of the 367th extraordinary meeting on the 15th. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Council

Yoo Young-il, a member of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council's Urban Environment Committee (People Power Party, Anyang 5), proposed expanding the opening of school sports facilities to revitalize local sports clubs.

On the 15th, during a 5-minute free speech at the 2nd plenary session of the 367th extraordinary meeting, Councilor Yoo pointed out, "Student gymnasiums in Gyeonggi Province are limited to two locations in Anyang and Bucheon, and student swimming pools are limited to three locations in Anyang, Bucheon, and Hwaseong," adding, "These facilities are operated very exclusively, with certain schools and organizations in these areas monopolizing their use. Therefore, a new sports policy is needed to spread the positive value of sports and enable anyone to easily participate in sports activities."

He continued, "The 'Sports Club Act' aimed at promoting community sports activities and enhancing sports welfare was enacted in June last year," emphasizing, "According to the law, school sports facilities should be opened to local sports clubs, and by linking local and school sports clubs, it should be possible to promote qualitative growth in school sports education and revitalize local sports clubs."

In particular, he explained, "If local sports clubs and school education programs are operated together in line with the implementation of the Sports Club Act, it will become a successful case combining local sports and school sports education," adding, "Expanding the operation of student swimming pools can help revitalize basic non-popular sports, and in the future, benefits from national funding support can also be obtained."

He also added, "The linkage between local sports clubs and school education programs can promote the activation of the sports social economy industry and balanced development of school life sports, and the stabilization of school sports education will provide students with new career opportunities and chances for professional education."