Naju-si Gains Spotlight as Winter Training Site for Track and Field Events

Published 26 Jan.2024 16:20(KST)

Naju City in Jeollanam-do is gaining attention as a winter training destination for track and field events.

According to Naju City on the 26th, a total of 28 track and field teams from across the country, with over 8,000 participants, have visited Naju for winter training.

The athletes, who began arriving on the first day of the new year in the Gapjin year, have started rigorous training in Naju for an average of 25 days per team until the end of next month to hone their skills to the highest level.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae of Naju City visited the national track and field teams' winter stove league site on the 25th to encourage the training athletes.
[Photo by Naju City]

The reason Naju City has emerged as a holy ground for training camps is because it is equipped with various sports facilities within the Naju Sports Complex, including a multipurpose stadium, an all-weather track and field stadium, a multipurpose gymnasium, and training grounds.

Additionally, natural ecological tourism resources such as the Yeongsangang River and Geumseongsan Mountain, a mild winter climate, comfortable lodging conditions, and delicious, neat meals that supplement the athletes' nutrition also play a role.

The city is actively engaging in sports marketing by providing incentives to athlete teams to revitalize the commercial district and ensuring thorough management of sports, training, and lodging facilities so that there are no inconveniences during their stay and training schedules.

Last year, the city hosted 25 national and provincial-level sports competitions with about 24,000 athletes participating. It is also analyzed that various sports and training camps, including 169 teams and about 1,750 athletes visiting for winter and summer training last year, generated an economic ripple effect of approximately 4 billion KRW.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae visited the site of the winter training teams' Stove League tournament the day before to encourage the athletes' passion and hard work.

Mayor Yoon said, “I hope for the safety and success of the athletes who have filled Naju’s athletic track with energy,” and added, “During the Stove League period, we will do our best to manage training facilities, lodging, and restaurants so that the athletes can achieve their goals as much as the sweat they have shed.”