Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, attended the Gyeonggi Province Sports Awards Ceremony, where he encouraged athletes and pledged continued support for the development of sports in the province.
At the awards ceremony held on the 16th at Dasan Hall in the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex, Governor Kim stated, "I am grateful to be called the 'Sports Governor' because I truly love sports and athletics. I would like to express my gratitude to all the athletes in Gyeonggi Province for your hard work over the past year, and I thank you on behalf of all the residents of the province."
He added, "Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Province Sports Council have worked together as a perfect doubles team to advance sports in the region. We have closely collaborated on various initiatives, including the construction of an athletes' village, the opening of a northern office for the provincial sports council, the introduction of opportunity income for athletes, the opportunity sports viewing voucher, and support for the adoption of reusable containers by professional sports teams in the province."
The Gyeonggi Province Sports Awards are held annually to recognize individuals who have contributed to the development of sports in the province and have participated in various domestic and international competitions. This year, 129 people, including track and field athlete Woo Sanghyeok (Yongin City Hall), received awards. Woo Sanghyeok has made history in Korean high jump by winning the 2025 World Indoor Athletics Championships, earning a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships, and achieving his tenth victory at the 106th National Sports Festival.
Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, is speaking at the 'Gyeonggi Province Sports Awards Ceremony' held on the 16th. Photo by Gyeonggi Province
The top athlete awards went to Kang Sujeong (Guri Topyeong High School), who won two gold medals in bowling at the 106th National Sports Festival in 2025, and Choi Yaein (Juyeop High School), who set a new tournament record in the girls' high school air rifle individual event.
This year, athletes from Gyeonggi Province achieved remarkable results across all areas of sports, including winning the National Sports Festival for the fourth consecutive year, securing the overall championship at the National Para Games, claiming the winter sports festival title for the 22nd straight year, winning the most events at the National Sports for All Festival for 22 consecutive years, and earning the highest number of medals at the National Youth Sports Festival.
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province has actively promoted sports policies such as: providing opportunity income to athletes in recognition of the social value of their athletic activities; offering opportunity sports viewing vouchers to expand access for underprivileged groups; conducting a feasibility study for the construction of the Gyeonggi Province Athletes' Village, which will serve as a home base for provincial athletes; and preparing to host the 108th National Sports Festival in 2027.
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