CHUNGCHEONGNAM-DO – South Chungcheong Province, or Chungcheongnam-do, has been officially selected as the host of the 110th National Sports Festival, marking the province’s first time hosting the event in 13 years. The selection was finalized with the signing of a business agreement between the province, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, and the Chungcheongnam-do Sports Council.

The signing ceremony, held on September 11 at the provincial government office, was attended by Governor Kim Tae-heum, Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Yoo Seung-min, and Chungcheongnam-do Sports Council President Kim Young-beom. The agreement outlines cooperation on preparations for a total of five national sports events to be held in the province over three consecutive years, from 2029 to 2031. This includes the National Junior Sports Festival, the National Para-Student Sports Festival, and the National Sports Festival for All.

The 110th National Sports Festival is scheduled to take place for seven days in October 2029, with an estimated 30,000 athletes and staff participating from across the nation. The main host city will be Hongseong-gun, which has been emerging as a new central city for the province. The province and its 15 cities and counties will work to prepare facilities for sports venues, accommodations, and transportation to ensure a smooth event.

Governor Kim emphasized that the event will set a new precedent. "By hosting this event in a county-level region for the first time in the nation, we will open a new chapter for the National Sports Festival," he said. The governor also highlighted plans to operate the event as an eco-friendly competition, fitting the province's status as a "Carbon-Neutral Economy Special Province." He promised to expand the province's sports infrastructure, noting the ongoing construction of a new international-level tennis court and the upcoming opening of the Chungnam Sports Center this year. The series of events is projected to have a regional economic impact of hundreds of billions of won.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]