Over 20,000 people competed in 56 events until May 17 

◇ On the afternoon of May 15, the 2015 Korea Sports-for-All Festival began with an opening ceremony at the Icheon City Stadium. The Taekwondo team of Kyungmin University performed a demonstration of martial arts at the opening ceremony. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

◇ From grandfather to grandson, the Song family led by Mr. Song Byeong-soo (82), Song Jin-gyoo (45), and Song Myeong-gi (17) have been part of the Sports-for-All Club at Icheon City for three generations. The Song family took an oath on behalf of all club members during the opening ceremony. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

The 2015 Korea Sports-for-All Festival, the largest event for the 18 million-strong Sports-for-All Club members across the country, began with an opening ceremony at the Icheon City Stadium on May 15.  

This year’s festival took ran from May 14 to 17 at 72 venues in 12 different cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province. More than 20,000 Sports-for-All Club members competed in 56 events, one event more than last year’s list. Gyeonggi Province participated in 45 events with over 2,100 contestants. 

Additionally, 130 overseas Koreans from six countries including the United States, China, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, and Canada participated in seven events. Also, to encourage interaction and exchange in public sports between Korea and Japan, a Japanese contingent of 195 participants competed against Korean club members in 10 events including basketball and volleyball. 

The opening ceremony featured events such as the “7330 Flash Mob” (exercising for at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week), Kids Valley by Sports-for-All Club members, Zumma dancing, Silver dancing, and a collaborative performance by singer Jeong Soo-ra and a Taekwondo demonstration team from Kyungmin University. 

During the ensuing official event, each squad from the 17 cities and provinces of Korea led by the overseas Korean team, made their way into the stadium with various symbols and musical performances representing their own regions. The Gyeonggi Province Zumma Expedition Team, which returned home safely after suspending their efforts to climb Mount Everest due to the earthquake in Nepal, entered the stadium and congratulated the squads participating in the festival.

Key figures across the country including Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Chairman Kang Deuk-gu, Gyeonggi Provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Chair Lee Pil-goo, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vice Minister Kim Jong, Korea Council of Sport for All President Kang Yeong-joong, Icheon City Mayor Cho Byeong-don, and Gyeonggi Province Sports-for-All President Lee Won-seong, as well as other provincial governors, mayors, National Assembly members, and sports team presidents were present for the opening ceremony to celebrate the festival. 

◇ Squads from Gyeonggi Province enter the stadium with the Gyeonggi Zumma Expedition Team which returned safely after suspending activities during their recent expedition to Mount Everest in the wake of the earthquake in Nepal. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

◇ VIPs including Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil applaud the incoming squads. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

Governor Nam Kyung-pil said, “We welcome each and every squad from the 17 cities and provinces across the country as well as squads organized by overseas Koreans and, finally, the Japanese squad participating in the festival to promote exchange between Korea and Japan.” He also said, “I hope everyone returns home safely with fond and happy memories.”

Governor Nam added, “Gyeonggi Province has a cooperative governing body for the first time in Korea. It personifies a new political paradigm in which people compete fiercely and fairly during elections but cooperate with one another once the elections are over.” He continued, “This is identical with the spirit of Sports-for-All. I am very proud of our Sports-for-All Club members who compete, accept the outcomes, and come together in harmony.” 

On behalf of all participants, the Song family (who have been part of the Icheon Sport for All club for three generations) led by Mr. Song Byeong-soo (82), Song Jin-gyoo (45), and Song Myeong-gi (17) took an oath to learn how to trust and live in harmony through Sports-for-All activities. 

Once all the official events were completed, a concert took place featuring performances by pop artists including BEAST, Rainbow, Seol Woon-do, Lee Eun-ha, and Lim Chang-jeong as well as a fireworks display. 

Kim Ho-jong (58, Andong, North Gyeongsang Province), a spectator at the opening ceremony, said, “I came here to support the North Gyeongsang Province bodybuilding team. I hope Sports-for-All Club members across the country work together and create a more harmonious society.”

Sato Yukako (Akita Prefecture), a member of the Japanese squad participating in the Festival, said, “I came to Korea for the first time to compete in the bowling event. Seeing in person the places I saw in Korean drama series is amazing and Korean food is delicious.” She added, “I hope Korea and Japan can come closer and forge a better relationship through Sports-for-All activities.”

Celebrating its 15th annual event this year, the Sports-for-All Festival was co-hosted by the Korea Council of Sports-for-All and Gyeonggi Province, supervised by the Gyeonggi-do Council of Sport for All, Icheon City, national associations of each sporting event, the Korea Paralympic Committee, and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation. 

◇ The opening ceremony featured events such as the “7330 Flash Mob” (exercising for at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week), Kids Valley by Sports-for-All Club members, Zumma dancing, Silver dancing, and a collaborative performance by singer Jeong Soo-ra and the Taekwondo demonstration team at Kyungmin University. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon 

◇ A Japanese contingent of 195 members participated 10 events including basketball and volleyball during this year’s festival to facilitate interaction through Sports-for-All activities. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

ⓒ Gyeonggi G News | Lee Joon-gyoon eyekle@hanmail.net

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