Expanding the Base of Football and Boosting the Local Economy
Combining Sports and Tourism Content for Maximum Impact
The "2025 Yeongdeok Football Festa Summer League," a spring festival for aspiring young football players from across the nation, was held successfully from July 25 to 28 over four days at six football stadiums, including the Yeongdeok County Sports Complex.
This tournament, hosted and organized by the football magazine Best Eleven (CEO Park Jeongseon), brought together a total of over 3,000 participants, including players and their families, from 92 youth football clubs nationwide as well as adult women's football teams.
Notably, this year's event featured a goalkeeper clinic led by Morishita Shinichi, a former Japanese national team goalkeeper and current goalkeeper advisor for J.League's Jubilo Iwata. His clinic contributed to the players' skill development and, along with various other events, received a positive response.
Matches were scheduled in the morning and late afternoon to account for the midsummer heat. Mandatory cooling breaks were implemented at least once per half, and large fans, ice, and saline glucose were provided at each stadium to prevent safety accidents and ensure players' condition management.
In the tournament results, Busan JM FC achieved a remarkable feat by winning both the kindergarten and middle school divisions. Additionally, Pohang Neo Junior won the first grade division, Gimcheon Ares FC took the second grade division, Ulju SC won the third grade division, Daegu FC N01 won the fourth grade division, Heyday FC took the fifth grade division, and Gumi Respect FC won the sixth grade division.
Victory ceremony of Daegu FC N.O.1 team, the 4th grade division champions. Provided by Yeongdeok County
Among these, the finals for the fourth and sixth grade divisions were broadcast live on YouTube by the Pohang MBC professional commentary team, adding to the excitement of the event. The recorded broadcast of these matches is scheduled to air on Pohang MBC at 3:20 p.m. on August 9.
County Governor Kim Kwangyeol stated, "Football Festa not only advances youth football and expands its base, but also solidifies Yeongdeok's position as a hub for sports tourism. We will do our utmost to develop sports tourism content that everyone can enjoy, attract tourists, and contribute to revitalizing the local economy."
'Yeongdeok Football Festa' is a new-concept football festival that can be enjoyed by participating teams, parents, local residents, and tourists alike. It is held from 2023 to 2026 through an agreement between Yeongdeok County and Best Eleven.
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