Gimhae Mayor Hong Taeyong Hopes to Achieve Goals at National Sports Festival Blending Sports and Culture

"I hope you achieve your goals at this National Sports Festival, which is harmonized with culture."

Hong Tae-yong, Mayor of Gimhae, Gyeongnam, made this statement at the opening of the 105th National Sports Festival on the afternoon of the 11th.

The torch for the 105th National Sports Festival is burning on the torch stand inside the main stadium, Gimhae Sports Complex in Gimhae, Gyeongnam.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall]

Mayor Hong said, "We have prepared a lot together with the citizens to showcase the true image of Gimhae as a sports and cultural city not only domestically but also internationally," and added, "With the hosting of the National Sports Festival, we have taken a step forward in all areas."

He also said, "Now, based on our capabilities as a city that can host national-level competitions, we will continue to attract tourism, cultural, and sports events to invigorate the local economy."

He continued, "I hope all participating athletes will once again reflect on the true values of sports?challenge, friendship, and mutual respect?and fully demonstrate the skills and abilities they have honed to achieve their goals," adding, "Above all, I ask for the interest and affection of our citizens for the success of this sports festival."

Hong Taeyong, mayor of Gimhae, Gyeongnam (center), is holding the torch ahead of the departure event for the torch relay and the 105th National Sports Festival torch ceremony. Photo by Gimhae City Hall

The 105th National Sports Festival will be held until the 17th, with Gimhae as the main venue and various locations throughout Gyeongnam.

This National Sports Festival, returning to Gyeongnam after 14 years, features 28,153 athletes from 17 cities and provinces nationwide, as well as 1,478 overseas Korean athletes from 18 countries, competing in 49 events.

Notable athletes include Kim Woojin (Cheongju City Hall) and Lim Si-hyun (Korea National Sport University), who performed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as well as national representatives such as Park Sangwon (Daejeon City Hall), Oh Sangwook (Daejeon City Hall) from the "Fencing Avengers," badminton player An Seyoung (Samsung Life Insurance), shooters Oh Yejin (IBK), Ban Hyojin (Daegu Physical Education High School), Yang Jiin (Korea National Sport University), Kim Yeji (Imsil County Office), judoka Heo Mimi (Gyeongbuk Sports Council), and weightlifter Park Hyejeong (Goyang City Hall).

Gimhae, the main host city, will also hold the East Asia Cultural City closing ceremony between Korea, Japan, and China, and the Gaya Culture Festival to commemorate the first anniversary of the Daeseong-dong Tombs' inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site throughout October, when the National Sports Festival takes place.

Various cultural events such as the Night of Cultural Heritage, Korea Arts Festival, and Drone Night Show will also be held, aiming to create a "cultural sports festival" where sports and culture are harmonized.