The Largest Comprehensive Sports Festival in North Gyeongsang Province
Presenting a New Model of a "Mutually Beneficial Sports Festival"
Yeongju City and Bonghwa County, located in the heart of North Gyeongsang Province, have successfully secured the joint hosting rights for the 65th North Gyeongsang Provincial Sports Festival, scheduled for 2027.
The North Gyeongsang Provincial Sports Council announced on December 22 that, following a board meeting held at the Stanford Hotel in Andong, the joint hosting by Yeongju and Bonghwa was confirmed with the approval of about 30 out of 50 board members present. Since submitting their joint hosting application in June, the two local governments have actively campaigned to secure the event, ultimately achieving success.
The North Gyeongsang Provincial Sports Festival is the largest comprehensive sports event in the province, featuring 30 disciplines and attracting over 11,000 athletes from 22 cities and counties, as well as officials and spectators, totaling around 30,000 participants.
Systematic preparations played a key role in securing the event. On October 27 last year, Yeongju City and Bonghwa County launched a joint hosting committee composed of 22 members. By December, they had conducted on-site inspections and intensive promotional activities, emphasizing the legitimacy of joint hosting and the efficient use of infrastructure.
The concept for the festival is "Confident like a tiger, wise like a fox!"-with the Baekdudaegan tiger of Bonghwa and the Sobaeksan fox of Yeongju set as symbolic themes. This concept will be reflected in the festival mascot, emblem, and overall brand image, with expectations that it will convey a message of harmony and coexistence beyond sports.
Yeongju City and Bonghwa County plan to present a new model of a "mutually beneficial sports festival" by sharing infrastructure across administrative boundaries. By linking Yeongju’s specialized sports facilities with Bonghwa’s nature-friendly spaces, they aim to maximize operational efficiency for the event.
The event is also expected to generate broad economic ripple effects across the region, including in the lodging and food sectors, and to expand sports infrastructure through the construction and renovation of athletic facilities.
With the host cities now confirmed, the two local governments will form a dedicated task force for the festival and begin preparing a master plan for the event. Representatives from Yeongju City and Bonghwa County stated, "As this is the first time in 12 years that the festival will be held in the Bonghwa-Yeongju area, we will combine the spirit of the tiger and the wisdom of the fox to deliver an unforgettable experience to the residents. We hope this will once again serve as an opportunity to illuminate the unity and future of North Gyeongsang Province."
Yeongju City Hall.
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