Over 12,000 Participants from 22 Cities and Counties in the Province
Four Days of Intense Competition Until May 12
The 63rd Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Festival will kick off with an opening ceremony at Gimcheon Sports Town on May 9, launching four days of intense competition.
Held under the slogan "A New Era for Gyeongbuk, Running Together in the City of Happiness, Gimcheon," this year's festival will bring together over 12,000 athletes and officials from 22 cities and counties across the province. They will compete in 30 sports, including track and field, soccer, and volleyball.
Gimcheon City has completed all necessary preparations, including venue maintenance and traffic and safety inspections, to ensure athletes can perform at their best. The city is also providing comprehensive support to prevent any inconvenience for citizens and spectators.
The opening ceremony, which will showcase the full breadth of Gimcheon's culture and technological prowess, will be held at Gimcheon Stadium at 4:00 p.m. on May 9.
The pre-ceremony events will feature performances by the Ahn Kyubaek Band, singer Ki Minjeong, the Gimcheon Arts High School dance team, and Song Eunkyo, heightening the excitement for the opening.
The official ceremony will include a joint performance by the Gimcheon City Korean Traditional Music Orchestra and Kimcheon Geumneung Bitnae Nongak, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. There will also be a segment delivering messages of hope to victims of recent wildfires.
The program will continue with the athletes' parade, the declaration of the opening, the athletes' oath, and the lighting of the torch. The festivities will be further elevated by a drone light show, followed by comedian Park Youngjin from Gimcheon as the host, and celebratory performances by singers Jang Minho, Oh My Girl, and Park Jihyun.
On-site, a variety of prize draws will be held, offering compact cars, TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and more, courtesy of NH Nonghyup, Gimcheon Nonghyup, M Bank, and the festival sponsors.
Expanding beyond a sports event, Gimcheon City plans to transform this festival into a comprehensive celebration that combines local culture and tourism. Various side events will be held during the festival, including the Together Gimcheon Promotion Hall, a permanent performance stage, local food stalls, a health experience fair, the Gimcheon Tourism Promotion Hall, and a Fourth Industrial Revolution Experience Center, all welcoming citizens and visitors alike.
Gimcheon Mayor Bae Nakho said, "I hope this event will bring comfort to those affected by wildfires and serve as a place of unity and healing for all residents of Gyeongbuk. We will do our utmost to ensure that everyone who visits Gimcheon leaves with unforgettable memories."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
