Gumi-si Stands Tall in the World as a Global Sports City

Launch of the 2025 Gumi Asia Athletics Championships Organizing Committee, Accelerating Preparations

16 National Competitions Including Nationwide Youth and Junior Summer Soccer Scheduled

Establishment of Sports Facilities Infrastructure Suc

Gumi City in Gyeongbuk Province has steadily strengthened its capacity to host large-scale events by successfully hosting the 102nd National Sports Festival in 2021 and the 2023 National Sports for All Festival, holding an average of about 20 nationwide sports competitions annually.

In December 2022, Gumi secured the hosting rights for the 26th Asian Athletics Championships, laying the foundation for its leap into a global sports city, and this year, Gumi's sports sector continues to strive relentlessly toward that goal.

Inaugural General Meeting of the Organizing Committee for the Asian Athletics Championships.

◆ Accelerating Preparations for the 2025 Gumi Asian Athletics Championships

On January 24, Gumi City officially began preparations for the 2025 Gumi Asian Athletics Championships by holding the inaugural general meeting of the organizing committee. The organizing committee, composed of Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, as Honorary Chairman, and Kim Jang-ho, Mayor of Gumi, and Yuk Hyun-pyo, President of the Korea Athletics Federation, as Co-Chairmen, is intensifying efforts to prepare for a successful event, including comprehensive planning, facility and infrastructure development, promotion and marketing, and establishing external cooperation systems.

The Asian Athletics Championships is the largest and most prestigious athletics competition in Asia. This will be the third time South Korea hosts the event, following Seoul in 1975 and Incheon in 2005, and Gumi will be the first basic local government to host it.

The event will take place over five days from May 27 to 31, 2025, with about 1,200 athletes from 45 Asian countries competing in 45 events. Gumi is expected to make a leap as a global sports city through the successful hosting of this championship.

◆ The 62nd Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Festival to Promote Unity and Revitalize the Local Economy

The 62nd Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Festival is scheduled to be held in Gumi for four days from May 10 to 13 this year. Featuring 30 sports, approximately 12,000 athletes from 22 cities and counties in Gyeongbuk will participate. Since this is the first time in 12 years that Gumi hosts the event since the 50th festival in 2012, the city is thoroughly preparing to provide the best competition environment for the athletes.

Pre-inspections of sports facilities, accommodations, and restaurants are underway, and various cultural events such as food festivals, stage performances, pre-events, opening and closing ceremonies, and drone shows will welcome citizens even before the event starts. The successful hosting is expected to boost citizens' pride and foster unity among the 3 million residents of Gyeongbuk, creating a festival where everyone comes together as one.

◆ The 32nd Korea-China-Japan Junior Comprehensive Sports Competition

The 32nd Korea-China-Japan Junior Comprehensive Sports Competition is scheduled to be held across Gumi from August 25 to 31 this year. Based on its rich experience in hosting national competitions and attracting international events, the city secured the hosting rights on November 6, 2023, becoming the first in Gyeongbuk Province to do so, and is making vigorous strides toward the successful hosting of the event.

The competition will feature 11 sports with about 1,000 athletes from Korea, China, and Japan participating. It is expected to be a meaningful occasion that offers youth international exchange experiences and the joy of uniting through sports, while also aiding in the discovery and development of outstanding athletes within the province.

◆ Contributing to Local Economic Revitalization through Hosting Nationwide Sports Competitions

This year, the city plans to host 16 nationwide sports competitions of various sizes. Efforts are underway to attract the ‘i-LEAGUE Summer Soccer Festival,’ which received high praise for its successful operation despite last year’s heatwave. In August, over three days at Nakdonggang Sports Park, more than 3,000 participants from about 250 youth and children’s soccer clubs nationwide are expected to compete in age-group soccer matches and enjoy cultural events, making it the largest summer soccer festival in the country with diverse attractions.

▲ Establishing Sports Facility Infrastructure to Promote Local Sports for All

Along the Nakdong River under Gumi Bridge, 4 billion KRW is being invested to convert three of the five existing dirt fields into certified standard artificial turf fields. Additionally, a city-type pump track is being developed under the bridge of the Gupo-dong National Road Bypass, a sports climbing center is being established in Dongnak Park, and the Gupyeong National Sports Center is under construction in Gupyeong-dong to foster the activation of sports for all.

Moreover, with a national subsidy of 5.16 billion KRW, renovation projects are underway to upgrade three aging facilities, including the Park Chung-hee Gymnasium, ensuring safety and convenience.

Furthermore, the city continuously promotes sports for all and elite sports development through annual sports classes, public sports club operations, support for school and professional sports, and management of the city hall athletes’ team.

Gumi City Complex Sports Center.

Mayor Kim Jang-ho stated, “By creating diverse sports facility infrastructure, we are fostering a sports-friendly environment and gradually achieving results such as attracting national and international competitions. Starting with the 62nd Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Festival, Gumi will stand tall not only in Korea but also in Asia and the world with the 32nd Korea-China-Japan Junior Comprehensive Sports Competition and the 2025 Gumi Asian Athletics Championships.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.