"I hope that the 105th National Sports Festival will be remembered as an event where the values of harmony and respect shine brighter than competition and victory."
Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province made this statement at the opening ceremony of the 105th National Sports Festival held at Gimhae Sports Complex on the afternoon of the 11th.
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (center), is holding a banner with the slogan of the 8th elected Gyeongnam provincial administration, "Vibrant Gyeongnam, Happy Residents," at the opening ceremony of the 105th National Sports Festival held at Gimhae Sports Complex, welcoming the athletes. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government
In his welcoming address, Governor Park said, "Gyeongsangnam-do, where the 105th National Sports Festival is being held, is a symbol of Korea's industrialization and democratization, as well as the center of the nation's space economy vision."
He emphasized, "Just like this year's festival slogan, 'Korea Running Again with Gyeongnam,' the passionate cheers of the festival and Gyeongnam's drive for industrial and economic development will become the foundation for Korea's next leap forward."
He continued, "I send my respect and praise to all the athletes who have continuously pushed their limits in preparation for these games," encouraging the participants of the National Sports Festival.
The opening ceremony of the 105th National Sports Festival was held at Gimhae Sports Complex in Gyeongnam. [Photo by Gimhae City Hall]
The 105th National Sports Festival will be held until the 17th, with Gimhae as the main venue and events centered around Gyeongnam.
This year's festival, returning to Gyeongnam after 14 years, features 28,153 athletes from 17 cities and provinces across the country, and 1,478 athletes from overseas Korean communities in 18 countries.
Among them are national representatives such as Kim Woojin (Cheongju City Hall), Lim Sihyun (Korea National Sport University), fencing "Avengers" including Park Sangwon (Daejeon City Hall) and Oh Sangwook (Daejeon City Hall), badminton player An Seyoung (Samsung Life), shooters Oh Yejin (IBK), Ban Hyojin (Daegu Physical Education High School), Yang Jiin (Korea National Sport University), Kim Yeji (Imsil County Office), judo athlete Heo Mimi (Gyeongbuk Sports Council), and weightlifter Park Hyejeong (Goyang City Hall), all of whom made their mark at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The athletes will compete in 49 sports held at 75 venues across the province, including the main stadium, Gimhae Sports Complex.
Throughout October, the main host city Gimhae will also feature the East Asia Cultural City closing ceremony with Korea, Japan, and China, the Gaya Cultural Festival and Cultural Heritage Night Walk celebrating the first anniversary of the Daeseong-dong Ancient Tombs' UNESCO World Heritage inscription.
A variety of cultural events, including the Korea Arts Festival and Drone Night Show, will also be held, establishing the festival as a cultural sports event where sports and culture come together.
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