"Creating Busan's First Major Jokgu Tournament"... Interview with Park Sam-cheol, President of Busan Jokgu Association

November 3rd, 1st 'Sarangmoa Cup' Tournament Kickoff

Co-hosted by Asia Economy Yeongnam Headquarters and Busan MBC

"My dream is to leave behind a traditional and prestigious Jokgu tournament after many years."

The Jokgu game, which can trace its origins to the Three Kingdoms period games and martial arts training such as ‘Chukguk’ and Jegichagi, has established itself as a modern sport since the 1960s. Today, the homeland of Jokgu is the Republic of Korea, and compared to other sports, it is relatively young.

It is now up to the current generation to develop Jokgu into a K-sport tournament boasting decades of history. One of the Jokgu enthusiasts pouring effort into launching this endeavor is Park Sam-cheol, president of the Busan City Jokgu Association.

Park Sam-cheol, president of the Busan Jokgu Association, is sharing his dream of promoting an authoritative K-Sports Jokgu tournament.

When you meet him, you hear him talk about the ‘expansion of the base’ and ‘revitalization’ of the sport Jokgu. He hopes for a day when men and women, children to the elderly, whether in cities, fishing villages, or mountain communities, can gather anywhere on the roadside and have a match together.

Recently, the Busan City Jokgu Association, which had only defensively held tournaments such as the Busan Mayor’s Cup, the Superintendent of Education’s Cup, and local government and regional association competitions, celebrated a milestone. A nationwide tournament organized by the Jokgu Association with a main sponsor will be held.

While many companies sponsor lifestyle sports or elite sports, this is the first time a Jokgu tournament in Busan has secured an official sponsor.

President Park Sam-cheol said, “I cannot hide my joy at planting the seed for a major tournament in Busan, where there has been no nationwide competition,” and expressed gratitude to CEO Jeong Sang-ho of ‘Sarangmoa Financial Services’ for sponsoring the event.

On November 3rd, at Silla University in Sasang-gu, Busan, the 1st Excellent Teams Invitational Jokgu Tournament, sponsored by Busan MBC and Sarangmoa Financial Services and jointly hosted by the Asia Economy Yeongnam Headquarters and Busan MBC, and organized by the Busan City Jokgu Association, will take place.

“Starting with this year’s tournament, I dream that the sports festival will continue annually until the 100th tournament when today’s Jokgu players will have disappeared,” President Park said with a big smile.

He introduced, “For this tournament, to expand the Jokgu base, we arranged for middle school teams to participate and also set up a women’s division match as an event.”

Currently, Jokgu is expanding as a school sport nurturing young players in elementary, middle, and high schools. However, as a women’s sport, the number of recreational players is still limited.

President Park emphasized, “First, efforts are needed to remove barriers so that women come out onto the Jokgu court,” and pledged, “I will work hard to increase women’s division matches with a long-term perspective.”

He also promised, “As a Jokgu enthusiast, I will show my dedicated efforts to Sarangmoa Financial Services, who supported holding this tournament.”