The Flame of the 44th National Disabled Sports Festival Lights Up the Main Stadium

The official torch of the 44th National Para Games departed from Gimhae City Hall, Gyeongnam, on the 25th and is heading to the main stadium, Gimhae Sports Complex.

The Para Games, held again in Gyeongnam after 14 years, will take place across 37 venues in 12 cities and counties within the province, centered around Gimhae City.

About 10,000 athletes, including 517 from the Gyeongnam provincial team and 63 from Gimhae City, will compete in a total of 31 events during the Games.

Torchbearers carrying the flame for the 44th National Disabled Sports Festival are leaving Gimhae City Hall.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall]

The opening ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. that day at the Gimhae Sports Complex, with approximately 5,500 attendees including Chung Jin-wan, President of the Korea Paralympic Committee, Jang Mi-ran, 2nd Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, Hong Tae-yong, Mayor of Gimhae, as well as provincial and city teams, officials, and citizens.

Mayor Hong said, “I hope all the athletes participating in this valuable event, which pledges the development of para sports, will fully demonstrate the skills and abilities they have honed and achieve their goals.”

He added, “The affection and interest of citizens are more crucial than anything else for the success of this grand sports festival where people with and without disabilities come together. Just as we enjoyed the National Sports Festival with one heart, I hope the Para Games held in Gimhae will also receive much support and cheers so that it becomes a harmonious and inspiring event uniting people with and without disabilities. We ask for your great interest and participation.”