TASHKENT, Uzbekistan – The Uzbekistan Korean Association recently hosted its annual Sports Day at the Yakkasaray Stadium in Tashkent on April 26th, 2025, a resounding success that showcased the strong spirit and camaraderie within the local Korean community. Under the clear spring skies, the event drew an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 500 attendees, including families, dignitaries, and representatives from Korean businesses.
The day commenced with an opening ceremony graced by the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan, Won Do-yeon, and the President of the Korean Association, Kang Chang-seok. President Kang extended his heartfelt gratitude to all participants for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend, emphasizing the importance of safety and enjoyment throughout the day's activities.
Ambassador Won echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significant contributions of numerous Korean enterprises through their generous sponsorships, which played a crucial role in making the event a success. He also expressed his appreciation for the active participation of Korean residents in the recent overseas absentee voter registration, viewing it as a testament to their deep connection and affection for their homeland.
The sporting events kicked off with a delightful 'popping the gourd' competition for the younger elementary school students, filling the stadium with cheerful laughter. This was followed by a series of engaging children's games, including kindergarten races, ball rolling, and the ever-popular candy grabbing. A particularly heartwarming moment was the parent-child race for kindergarteners, which fostered stronger family bonds and drew enthusiastic cheers from the sidelines.
As the day progressed, the adult competitions took center stage, featuring events that tested both individual prowess and team cohesion. The men's 'jangsa' (strongman) race highlighted impressive displays of strength, while the adult soccer matches showcased the hidden athletic talents and robust teamwork prevalent within the Korean community. The co-ed two-person three-legged race provided moments of hilarity and required exceptional coordination, earning enthusiastic applause from the spectators.
Two of the most anticipated events for the adults were the men's jokgu (foot volleyball) and the women's dodgeball. The jokgu tournament, known for its intense competition and high level of skill, is so popular that pre-registration is a necessity each year. The matches were characterized by the participants' fervent passion and the resounding support from the captivated audience. Similarly, the women's dodgeball games were fiercely contested, with rapid offensive and defensive plays and seamless teamwork earning significant praise.
Recognizing the importance of preserving cultural traditions and fostering intergenerational connection, the Korean Association also organized separate folk games for the senior participants. Yut nori, a traditional Korean board game, and tuho, an arrow-throwing game, provided a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for the elders to interact and share in the rich heritage of Korea.
A welcome intermission during the day's activities was the communal lunch. Participants gathered in a designated area to share a delicious and thoughtfully prepared bibimbap. This traditional Korean dish, featuring a colorful array of fresh vegetables and flavorful toppings on a bed of warm rice, served as more than just sustenance. It became a symbol of the community's warmheartedness and provided an opportunity for families and neighbors to connect and converse. Many attendees remarked on the exceptional taste and the deeply touching sentiment behind the shared meal.
The afternoon saw the resumption of competitive spirit with an engaging OX quiz. The questions, often unexpected and requiring quick thinking, tested the participants' knowledge and determination. The final showdown, decided by a nail-biting game of rock-paper-scissors between the last two contenders, elicited a thunderous roar from the enthusiastic crowd.
The tug-of-war competitions that followed showcased raw power and strategic teamwork. The Blue Team demonstrated superior strength and coordination, ultimately securing victories in both the men's and women's events. The grand finale of the sporting events was the exhilarating relay race. While the White Team put up a valiant effort, the Blue Team ultimately edged them out in the overall standings, clinching the coveted overall championship title. This victory was particularly sweet for the Blue Team as it marked a successful comeback after their loss to the White Team in the previous year's competition.
Adding to the sense of unity and team spirit, the Blue Team's uniforms were generously sponsored by Haedle Restaurant, while the White Team's uniforms were sponsored by GKD.
The culmination of the day's festivities was the highly anticipated lucky draw, which generated considerable excitement among the attendees. Prior to the draw, the Tashkent branch manager of T'way Air, Jung Jae-hoon, made a significant announcement regarding the commencement of direct flights between Incheon and Tashkent starting on May 23rd. This new service is expected to greatly enhance travel convenience for the Korean community in Uzbekistan.
The lucky draw itself featured an impressive array of prizes, including a large 64-inch television and various other electronics courtesy of Samsung Electronics, home appliances provided by LG Electronics, and round-trip economy and business class air tickets between Incheon and Tashkent sponsored by T'way Air. Each announcement of a winning number was met with enthusiastic cheers and applause, as fortunate individuals celebrated their luck. Even those who did not win shared in the joy of their neighbors, contributing to the warm and convivial atmosphere that persisted until the very end of the event.
The 2025 Uzbekistan Korean Association Sports Day transcended the typical sporting event, evolving into a genuine celebration of unity, laughter, and mutual encouragement for the entire Korean community in Uzbekistan. The Korean Association continues to play a vital role in fostering these connections through its annual events, including the Sports Day in April and the Year-End Gala in December.
Looking ahead, a representative of the Korean Association expressed their commitment to building on the success of this year's Sports Day, promising an even more enriching and memorable Year-End Gala in 2025. President Kang Chang-seok concluded the event by expressing his sincere gratitude to all members of the Korean community for their cooperation, which ensured a safe and seamless execution of the Sports Day. The 2025 Uzbekistan Korean Association Sports Day concluded on a high note, leaving participants with cherished memories of a day filled with enthusiastic participation and the vibrant spirit of the Korean community in Uzbekistan.
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