'Foreign Workers Soccer Tournament' in Gwangju: A Venue for Unity Beyond Nationalities

On May 25 at Gwangju National University Soccer Field
Eight Teams and 150 Participants Including Nepal

'Foreign Workers Soccer Tournament' Poster. Provided by Gwangju Foreign Residents Support Center

The "2025 Gwangju Foreign Workers Soccer Tournament," aimed at promoting unity and exchange among foreign workers residing in Gwangju, will be held on May 25 at the Gwangju National University soccer field.

This tournament is part of the Ministry of Employment and Labor's Foreign Workers Regional Settlement Support Project and is organized by the Gwangju Foreign Residents Support Center. It is designed to help foreign workers settle stably in the local community and foster a sense of community through soccer.

Approximately 150 foreign workers, forming eight teams from countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, will participate in the tournament, which will be held in a group league and knockout format. On the day of the event, there will also be various side events such as counseling and food booths operated by the Gwangju Foreign Residents Support Center, the Department of Korean Language at Gwangju National University, and the Gwangju Bank Foreign Financial Center, providing a vibrant space for cultural exchange among participants.

The opening ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. on May 25, and the closing ceremony will be held after the final match, together with the awards ceremony. The winning and runner-up teams will receive certificates and trophies, and a separate award will be presented to the team that receives the Fair Play Award.

Shin Kyunggu, head of the Gwangju Foreign Residents Support Center, stated, "This soccer tournament is more than just a sports event; it is a meaningful occasion that helps foreign workers communicate with each other and live with pride within the community." He added, "We will continue to operate various multicultural sports programs to realize 'inclusive city Gwangju,' where foreign residents and the local community can live together in harmony."

Meanwhile, the Gwangju Foreign Residents Support Center was selected for the Ministry of Employment and Labor's Foreign Workers Regional Settlement Support Project and opened in April last year in Heukseok-dong, Gwangsan-gu. The center provides a wide range of services to support the stable settlement of foreign residents in the local community, including daily life counseling, Korean language education, legal and labor counseling, financial education, and cultural exchange programs. Going forward, the center plans to expand its integrated support system so that foreign residents and the local community can continue to grow together.