Gapyeong County Successfully Concludes the 15th Gyeonggi-do Disabled Sports Competition

Gapyeong County Hosts Large-Scale Sports Festival for the First Time in 70 Years
Successful Conclusion of the Event
Seongnam City Wins Overall Championship... Next Year to Be Held in Gwangju

The 15th Gyeonggi-do Disabled Sports Competition successfully concluded its three-day schedule with a closing ceremony held on the 26th at the Gapyeong Gymnasium in Gyeonggi under the slogan "Healing the Gapyeong, Changing Gyeonggi."

The 15th Gyeonggi-do Disabled Sports Competition successfully concluded its three-day schedule with a closing ceremony held on the 26th at the Gapyeong Gymnasium in Gyeonggi under the slogan "Healing the Gapyeong, Changing Gyeonggi." Provided by Gapyeong County

This competition was a large-scale sports event for people with disabilities hosted by Gapyeong County for the first time in about 70 years. Approximately 5,000 athletes, guardians, and officials from 31 cities and counties within Gyeonggi-do participated. The athletes competed in a total of 17 events, including gateball, boccia, and wheelchair basketball, delivering both fierce competition and deep inspiration.

The closing ceremony was attended by Seo Taewon, Governor of Gapyeong County, Choi Heungrak, Director of the Sports Promotion Division of Gyeonggi Province, and Nam Yoonkoo, Vice President of the Gyeonggi-do Sports Association for the Disabled, among others. The event proceeded in the following order: a highlight video screening, overall awards ceremony, farewell address, extinguishing of the flame, and the official closing declaration. The competition flag was handed over by Governor Seo Taewon and Director Choi Heungrak to Mayor Bang Sehwan of Gwangju, the host city of the 16th competition next year.

Seongnam City claimed the overall championship for the second consecutive year, following last year’s victory. Suwon City placed second, and Bucheon City came in third. The host, Gapyeong County, achieved remarkable progress by moving up from 27th place last year to 18th place this year, earning the "Promotion Award" given to the city or county with the most improved performance.

In preparation for this competition, Gapyeong County enhanced facilities for people with disabilities and implemented meticulous transportation measures, such as operating shuttle buses from each township, Gapyeong Station, and the main stadium to the opening ceremony venue at Jarasum Jungdo, thereby increasing participant satisfaction.

In his farewell address, Governor Seo Taewon said, "I applaud all the athletes who brought us joy and inspiration through their passionate competition," and added, "I also extend my deep gratitude to Gyeonggi Province, the sports associations for the disabled in each city and county, all officials and volunteers, and the citizens of Gapyeong County who worked hard for the success of this event."