Busan Delegation’s Korean National Sports Festival Send-Off Ceremony to Be Held on the 17th

[Financial News] An event will be held on the 17th to wish the Busan delegation success ahead of this year’s Korean National Sports Festival in Jeju. Busan will send 1,176 athletes to compete in 50 events. 
Busan City said on the 16th that it would hold a ceremony marking the resolve of the Busan delegation participating in the 107th Korean National Sports Festival at 3 p.m. on the 17th in the city hall’s main auditorium, together with the Busan Sports Council. The ceremony was organized to encourage the delegation ahead of the Korean National Sports Festival, which will be held in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province for one week starting on the 16th of next month, and to rally citizens’ support and encouragement.
The event will proceed with a report on preparations for the festival, the entrance of the flag bearers, screenings of training and promotional videos, presentation of the team flag, an oath by athlete representatives, delivery of sponsorship funds, and a pledge of resolve. Mayor Jeon Jae-soo will present the team flag to Jang In-hwa, head of the delegation and chair of the Busan Sports Council. The athlete representatives taking the oath will be Jeong Yeong-man, a ssireum athlete affiliated with Busanjin-gu Office, and Kim Min-seo, a taekwondo athlete affiliated with Dongnae-gu Office.
The Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BNK Busan Bank, and the Women’s Sports Committee of the Busan Sports Council will provide encouragement funds to the delegation.
The Busan delegation finished second overall at last year’s Korean National Sports Festival, held in Busan, marking its best result in 52 years. It also ranked first among the six metropolitan cities for the third consecutive year. The city plans to support the athletes so they can perform at their best without injury at this year’s competition. 
Last year, Busan became the first metropolitan local government to establish a sports bureau. Working with the Busan Sports Council, it addressed the issue of events not participating in the Korean National Sports Festival by recruiting outstanding athletes, securing corporate teams, and supporting the creation of new teams. Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo said, "Even amid this summer’s heat wave, the athletes quietly worked up a sweat and honed their skills," adding, "The remarkable second-place overall finish achieved in Busan last year for the first time in 52 years brought great emotion and pride to all citizens. I hope they compete this year with pride, avoid injury, and have no regrets."

[email protected] Baek Chang-hoon Reporter