2025 National Sports for All Festival Held in Jeollanam-do Until April 27

The 2025 National Sports for All Festival (the Festival) is being held throughout Jeollanam-do until April 27.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and co-hosted by the Korea Sports Association and Jeollanam-do, the Festival is a nationwide comprehensive event for sports club members. It began in Jeju in 2001 and is celebrating its 25th edition this year. Under the slogan "Land of Life, Jeonnam, Let's Soar Together, Korea," approximately 20,000 athletes from 17 provinces and cities across the country will participate in 41 events, providing a platform for exchange and unity.

This year, in particular, the Festival aims to create a sports event that unites people of all ages, regions, and even countries through sports. Athletes ranging from children under the age of 10 to seniors over 80 from 17 provinces and cities nationwide, as well as Japanese sports for all participants, will take part. Notably, family members are joining together to foster harmony. At Boseong FC in Jeollanam-do, a father and son are participating as youth football team coach and player, respectively, and in various events such as park golf, recreational dance gymnastics, and ground golf, couples, sisters, and siblings are enjoying the healthy pleasures of sports for all together.

This year, about 150 Japanese athletes will participate in competitions in eight sports, including football, badminton, tennis, and volleyball, and will also explore local cultural attractions in the host region to promote friendship between the two countries. The participation of Japanese sports for all athletes is part of the Korea-Japan Sports for All exchange that began in 1997.

On April 25, Jang Miran, the Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will attend the opening ceremony at Mokpo Sports Complex to encourage the athletes from 17 provinces and cities.

Vice Minister Jang Miran stated, "Sports for all is important for leading a healthy life throughout one's lifetime and for strengthening social solidarity. Sports habits formed in childhood foster a healthy body and mind, and can lead to an active daily life in old age." She added, "The Ministry will enhance the infrastructure by expanding access to school sports facilities and increasing the number of public sports centers. We will also support a variety of sports for all programs by region and age group to vitalize sports for all."