Integration of Sports and Cultural Content
Contributing to Tourism Models and Economic Revitalization
The "2025 Yeongdeok Football Festa Spring League," a spring festival for aspiring football players from across the country, was successfully held from the 28th of last month to the 8th of this month at six football stadiums, including Yeongdeok Civic Stadium.
This tournament, hosted and organized by the football magazine Best Eleven (CEO Park Jungseon), brought together more than 3,000 players and their families from 101 youth football clubs nationwide, as well as adult women's football teams and men's Jokgu teams.
Participants enjoyed not only the matches but also a variety of events. In particular, the "Soprano Yu Mija's STAY Yeongdeok Concert" delivered a special emotional experience to the players and their families, creating a festival that combined sports and culture.
On the 1st, the kindergarten division match held at Ganggu Daegae Football Stadium was won by Ulsan IFC. In the elementary school division on the 2nd, Ulsan IFC took first place in the first grade division, Ulsan United Team in the second grade division, Inter Football Academy Team in the third grade division, and Heyday FC in the fifth grade division. On the same day, Ulsan Inno FC claimed the championship in the middle school division finals.
Subsequently, due to an unexpected heavy snowfall, the elementary fourth grade division final was postponed to the 8th, where Chilgok FC defeated Geoje Youth Football Club 4-2 to become champions. In the sixth grade division final, Respect FC lifted the trophy after defeating Daegu DS Football Academy 3-1.
Notably, the finals for the fourth and sixth grade divisions were broadcast live on YouTube by Pohang MBC's professional commentary team, adding to the excitement. The recorded broadcast of these matches will air on Pohang MBC at 3:20 p.m. on the 22nd.
Yeongdeok County and Best Eleven have been co-hosting the "Yeongdeok Football Festa" since 2023 through a partnership agreement, and plan to develop the event into a new concept football festival by 2026, where not only participating teams and parents but also local residents and tourists can enjoy together.
This tournament not only contributed to the development and expansion of youth football, but also further solidified Yeongdeok County's status as a sports tourism hub, receiving praise for its positive impact on the local economy through the revitalization of sports tourism.
Accordingly, Yeongdeok County plans to establish a sustainable sports tourism model by integrating various sports and cultural programs, and to ensure the successful hosting of the upcoming "Yeongdeok Football Festa Summer League" in July and the 2026 tournament as well.
Kim Kwangyeol, the county governor, stated, "We will strive to develop sports tourism content centered on football that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders, attract tourists, and contribute to revitalizing the local economy."
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