Result of Communication and Unity in Western Gyeongnam
Four Counties Confirmed as Joint Hosts of the Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival
The "2027 Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival," the largest sporting event in Gyeongsangnam-do, has been officially confirmed to be jointly hosted by the four western counties of Geochang, Hamyang, Sancheong, and Hapcheon.
The Gyeongsangnam-do Sports Council announced that, as a result of the board meeting held on July 1, the proposal for the joint hosting of the festival by the four western counties (Sancheong, Hamyang, Geochang, and Hapcheon) was finally approved as the venue for the 2027 Provincial Sports Festival.
The Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival is the largest comprehensive sports event in the province, with participation from all 18 cities and counties in Gyeongnam each year. It has contributed to strengthening interregional ties and expanding the base for residents’ sports activities.
In particular, the host region has enjoyed direct benefits such as the expansion of sports facilities, improvement of infrastructure, and revitalization of cultural tourism as part of the festival preparations. Additionally, during the event period, thousands of visitors gather, bringing an economic boost to the entire local economy.
This joint hosting of the Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival goes beyond a simple competition, carrying the symbolism of mutual cooperation and shared prosperity among the regions.
Since the second half of 2024, National Assembly member Shin Sungbeom and the heads of the four counties have held multiple administrative council meetings to discuss the necessity and feasibility of jointly hosting the festival. From early 2025, administrative and sports council working-level meetings were held to accelerate the joint hosting efforts.
Furthermore, on June 24, a joint hosting resolution rally was held at the Geochang Cultural Center, attended by sports council officials from each county, county heads, provincial and county council members, and local residents. This event strongly demonstrated the determination and validity for joint hosting, ultimately making the joint hosting by the four counties a reality.
The series of steps taken by the four western Gyeongnam counties to jointly host the Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival represents a "cooperation model" among local governments and sports councils, uniting the voices of the previously marginalized western Gyeongnam region for balanced regional development. It is expected to serve as a model case for future wide-area cooperation projects among other local governments and private organizations.
Ku Inmo, the mayor of Geochang and chairman of the administrative council for the four western Gyeongnam counties, emphasized, "Given the reality that it is difficult for a single county to host such a large-scale sports festival due to population decline and lack of facility infrastructure, this joint hosting is highly significant as the four counties and sports councils voluntarily joined forces to create this opportunity." He added, "Over the next two years, each county and sports council will share responsibilities and continue to cooperate to ensure a successful festival."
With the confirmation of the "2027 Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival" to be held in the four western Gyeongnam counties, the local governments and sports councils announced that they would thoroughly prepare to ensure positive ripple effects in various areas, including sports infrastructure, cultural and tourism revitalization, regional economic growth, and improvements in living conditions. This is especially important as a total of four major events will be held in the four counties over the next two years: the "Gyeongnam Sports Festival for Persons with Disabilities" in the same year, the "Gyeongnam Comprehensive Sports Festival for Elementary and Middle School Students" the following year, and the "Gyeongnam Sports for All Festival."
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