Pohang City Makes Strong Push for Overall Victory at the 63rd Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Festival

A Strong Start with First Place in Preliminary Events...
Pohang Team Embarks on Medal Hunt
City Government, Sports Association, and Citizen Supporters
Offer Encouragement and Enthusiastic Support to Athletes

Pohang City has officially begun its pursuit of medals at the 63rd Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Festival, which kicked off in Gimcheon on May 9.

Pohang City Athletes Enter at the Opening Ceremony of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Festival. Photo by Pohang City

For this year’s festival, Pohang has fielded about 1,270 athletes and officials, competing in 30 sports across 83 categories, all striving for the overall championship in a heated contest.

At the opening ceremony held on May 9 at Gimcheon Sports Complex, the Pohang City team, consisting of around 70 athletes, officials, and members of local sports associations, marched in to enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

During the entrance parade, the city actively promoted its status as a hub for AI, bio, secondary batteries, and hydrogen, drawing significant attention.

Before the opening ceremony, Mayor Lee Kangdeok visited venues for bowling, boxing, and table tennis with officials from the Pohang Sports Association, offering words of encouragement to each athlete and wishing them success.

Despite inclement weather, citizen supporters, made up of local companies and organizations for each sport, also visited the venues to passionately cheer on the Pohang athletes, providing additional motivation.

At the team’s welcome event held that evening, the achievements of the Pohang athletes?who had already secured first place in preliminary events such as golf, basketball, handball, cycling, and shooting?were highlighted. Mayor Lee urged, “Please continue to do your best in the remaining main events.”

Lee Jaehan, president of the Pohang Sports Association, said, “I am grateful to the athletes who have trained so hard. I hope you will maintain your focus until the end and finish the competition without any regrets.”

Mayor Lee Kangdeok added, “Pohang has always been united through sports, and the sweat and effort of our athletes will be a great source of strength for our citizens during this festival as well. Together with all Pohang citizens, I will wholeheartedly support our team so that this excitement continues until the end.”

Guests cheering as the Pohang City team enters. Photo by Pohang City

The 63rd Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Festival is being held throughout Gimcheon from May 9 to May 12, featuring competitions in 30 sports (28 official and 2 demonstration events), and will conclude with a closing ceremony at Gimcheon Indoor Gymnasium on May 12.