Opening of the 31st Jeollanam-do Disabled Sports Competition in Wando, Jeonnam

Over 2,000 Athletes and Officials Participate, Competing in 21 Events Over 3 Days

The 31st Jeollanam-do Disabled Sports Competition held its opening ceremony on the 24th in Wando, known as the "Number One Marine Healing Site" and the "Island of Health," kicking off a three-day intense competition.

According to Wando County on the 24th, this event, with the slogan "A Harmonious Sports Festival Opening Dreams in the Clean Sea of Wando," will see over 2,000 athletes competing in 21 events including gateball, goalball, and park golf over three days.

The 31st Jeollanam-do Disabled Sports Competition held its opening ceremony on the 24th and began a three-day fierce contest.
[Photo by Wando-gun]

The opening ceremony held at Cheonghaejin Sports Center was attended by Shin Woo-cheol, Wando County Governor; Moon Geum-ju, Vice Governor of Jeollanam-do; Park Jeong-hyun, Executive Vice Chairman of the Jeollanam-do Disabled Sports Association; and executive vice chairpersons of disabled sports associations from various cities and counties.

The ceremony was attended by athletes, officials, and spectators, and officially began with the entrance of the flags of Jeollanam-do, Jeollanam-do Sports Council, Jeollanam-do Disabled Sports Competition, and the 21 event group flags, followed by a spectacular performance by the athletes from 22 cities and counties.

Following this, the opening declaration marked the start of the 31st Jeollanam-do Disabled Sports Competition, and the competition flag was raised.

The athlete and referee oath was taken by Wando County volleyball player Bae Gu, badminton player Jo Beom-seo, and goalball referee Park Cheol-woo, while the torch lighting was performed together with Kim Dong-jun, a leader of the Wando County Disabled Sports Association.

In his welcoming speech, Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, "We have prepared our best to help athletes improve their performance, and I hope the games proceed smoothly without any minor injuries," adding, "The courageous and passionate spirit of the athletes will bring positive energy to the people of Jeonnam."

He further stated, "I hope this competition will be successfully held, serving as a stepping stone for our county to leap forward as a sports tourism city and an opportunity to raise the status by promoting the value of Wando."

Following the official events, congratulatory performances were held to elevate the festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, during the competition period, various programs and performances such as disabled sports guidance and sports rehabilitation experience centers, visiting disabled community sports (sports experience), and marine healing flare will be held at the auxiliary event venue set up in the parking lot in front of Cheonghaejin Sports Center.

Wando = Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil ckp6737@asiae.co.kr