Among metropolitan local governments nationwide, Busan City has become the first to establish a department at the ‘bureau’ level dedicated to sports, called the ‘Sports Bureau’.
The Sports Bureau consists of three divisions: ▲Sports Policy Division ▲Community Sports Division ▲National Sports Festival Planning Team, with a total of 12 teams, and includes the Sports Facilities Management Office as a business office.
With this organizational restructuring, Busan City plans to accelerate the creation of a ‘Sports Paradise City Busan’ by promoting citizens' health and improving quality of life through sports.
The establishment of the Sports Bureau is the first among all 17 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide. This demonstrates Busan City's strong commitment to creating a sports environment that citizens can truly feel.
The Sports Bureau will be responsible for large-scale events such as the National (Para) Sports Festival (October), held for the first time in 25 years, and the world’s first World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) General Assembly in Asia (December), which will host over 2,000 participants including ministers from 191 countries and International Olympic Committee (IOC) members.
Both events are major sports occasions that are expected not only to elevate Busan’s status as an ‘international sports city’ but also to showcase its capabilities as a ‘world-class MICE city’.
Additionally, the vision of a community sports paradise city, announced through the 1st Citizen Happiness Busan Meeting last September, is expected to be prepared more systematically. Projects include ▲the creation of the River Ocean Runner Station ▲Nakdong River Slow Triathlon Festa ▲five major popular community sports competitions, as well as the expansion of community sports facilities such as the construction of new tennis courts.
The River Ocean Runner Station is a facility located in easily accessible areas that provides conveniences such as storage for runners’ belongings, changing rooms, and offers services including running programs and healthcare.
Furthermore, projects to modernize comprehensive sports facilities such as the reconstruction of Sajik Baseball Stadium and strengthening support for professional sports are expected to gain momentum in creating a joyful and happy city through sports.
Park Hyung-jun, Mayor of Busan, stated, “Sports is one of the core sectors of the 15-minute city Busan, and everyone recognizes its importance,” adding, “With the launch of the Sports Bureau, we will put more effort into expanding sports facilities and enhancing domestic and international sports events to create ‘Busan, a city where people want to live again.’”
Mayor Park also said, “Through the execution of the community sports paradise city vision, including hosting the National Sports Festival in October and the WADA General Assembly in December, we will strengthen our status as an international sports city.”
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