"Thanks to everyone, it was enjoyable and happy!"
Hong Taeyong, Mayor of Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, who worked hard preparing and managing the National Sports Festival as the main host local government head, expressed his thoughts at the closing ceremony of the 105th National Sports Festival after a seven-day grand journey.
Hong Tae-yong, Mayor of Gimhae City, Gyeongnam, is delivering a greeting at the closing ceremony of the 105th National Sports Festival. [Photo by Gimhae City Hall]
Mayor Hong said, "Thanks to the domestic athletes and overseas Korean athletes, the citizens of Gimhae were joyful and happy over the past week."
He also said, "I am proud of the mature civic consciousness shown by Gimhae citizens at the opening and closing ceremonies," adding, "I will never forget the support from volunteers, supporters, and everyone who was with us throughout the festival."
He stated, "I send special thanks to the Governor of Gyeongnam Province, the Korean Sports Council, and the Gimhae Sports Council for giving us this precious opportunity that I will never forget in my lifetime. I also want to express my appreciation to the Gimhae City Sports Council for their great efforts," and added, "I will remember this festival forever."
The closing ceremony began under the theme "A Universe Where Everyone Shines Together," featuring the athletes' entrance, congratulatory performances by singers Park Seojin and Eun Gaeun, and various cultural performances. In particular, an awards ceremony was held for athletes who achieved outstanding results during the event.
The closing ceremony of the 105th National Sports Festival was held at the main stadium, Gyeongnam Gimhae Sports Complex. [Photo by Gimhae City Hall]
The National Sports Festival, held again in Gyeongnam after 14 years, opened on the 11th and was centered around the main host city, Gimhae.
With the main stadium being Gimhae Sports Complex and 75 other venues across the province, 28,153 athletes from 17 cities and provinces nationwide and 1,478 overseas Korean athletes from 18 countries participated, showcasing their skills in 49 sports.
During the festival, Mayor Hong visited various local sports venues to cheer on the Gyeongnam athletes, including those from Gimhae City.
As of the 17th, Gimhae City athletes won a total of 24 medals: 11 gold, 7 silver, and 6 bronze.
Hong Tae-yong, Mayor of Gimhae, Gyeongnam (second from the left), is promoting the Gimhae City agricultural specialty joint brand Gayatteul at the promotional booth for the 105th National Sports Festival. [Photo by Gimhae City Hall]
During the festival, Gimhae City also presented cultural events such as the Special Cultural Sports Exhibition x East Asia Sculpture Festival Harmony, the joint special exhibition between Gimhae City and ?orum City, Turkey at the National Gimhae Museum, the Gaya Culture Festival commemorating the 1st anniversary of the Daeseonggong Tombs' UNESCO World Heritage registration, the closing event of the 2024 East Asia Cultural Cities, and a drone night show.
Efforts were also made to revitalize the commercial district and improve visitor satisfaction through hygiene inspections of local restaurants and accommodations and eradication of overcharging.
The city stated that the support of 2,101 cheering squad members and 1,837 volunteers, all composed of Gimhae citizens, was significant for this National Sports Festival.
They participated in cheering at each venue, supporting the production of the opening and closing ceremonies, guiding and maintaining order at venues, assisting and guiding disabled and elderly visitors, cleaning inside and outside venues, providing water service, managing and maintaining traffic order, and operating various promotional booths.
Hong Tae-yong, Mayor of Gimhae, Gyeongnam, and officials from the Gimhae City Sports Council visited the venue of the 105th National Sports Festival to cheer for the athletes together with the citizens. [Photo by Gimhae City Hall]
About 1,300 Gimhae taxis voluntarily displayed promotional flags for the National Sports Festival and the National Para Games on their vehicles, leading the promotion efforts, and approximately 70 exemplary driver members served as volunteers to prevent traffic congestion, contributing to smooth vehicle flow.
Additionally, local organizations and institutions such as the Gimhae Office of Education, Gimhae Central Police Station, Western Police Station, Gimhae Eastern Fire Station, Western Fire Station, and Gimhae Sports Council supported traffic safety and event operations for the National Sports Festival.
The city is accelerating preparations for the 44th National Para Games, which will open on the 25th.
Based on the experience of hosting the two major sports festivals, the city plans to continue the enthusiasm for cultural and sports festivals through the 2025 National Youth Sports Festival, National Disabled Students Sports Festival, and the 2026 National Sports for All Festival.
The original model of the King Sejong statue in Gwanghwamun Square, donated by artist Kim Young-won, was unveiled at a special exhibition at the Gimhae City Young-won Art Museum in celebration of the 105th National Sports Festival. [Photo by Gimhae City Hall]
At the Gimhae Sports Complex, the main stadium of this festival, efforts will be made to enhance competitiveness in attracting training camps, domestic inter-provincial athletics competitions, and international athletics events.
The Gimhae City Museum of Art, which was temporarily opened during the festival, will officially open in the first half of 2026 on the 5th and 4th basement floors adjacent to the west plaza, exhibiting various artworks and utilizing the main stadium as a complex sports and cultural space.
Mayor Hong said, "I express my gratitude to all citizens who warmly and kindly welcomed the athletes and visitors during the festival, and I hope for much interest and participation in the 44th National Para Games starting on the 25th."
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