Busan Association President's Cup Jokgu Tournament to Kick Off on the 19th... Growing Interest as Jokgu Becomes Official National Sports Event

Competition in Eight Categories at Eulsukdo Artificial Turf Football Field

K-Sports to Hold Asian Championship in Busan This Fall

This weekend, a grand festival for Jokgu enthusiasts—celebrating "K-Sports"—will take place at Eulsukdo in Busan.

The Busan Jokgu Association announced on the 15th that the "8th Busan Jokgu Association President's Cup" will be held on April 19 at the Eulsukdo artificial turf football field.

The tournament will run from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the opening ceremony set for 10:00 a.m. An awards ceremony will follow the finals for each division.

This competition aims to promote a healthy leisure culture, enhance public health, and expand the base of Jokgu. It is also intended to revitalize everyday sports through interactions among club members.

The matches are divided into a total of eight categories, including general, age 70 and above, youth, and women's divisions, spanning from Busan J-3 to J-7. Only teams composed of players registered with the association are eligible to participate in each division.

Sponsored by the Busan Sports Council, Saha District Office, and the Korea Jokgu Association, this tournament holds significance in expanding the local sports infrastructure and elevating the status of Jokgu as a sport.

Park Samcheol, President of the Busan Jokgu Association, commented, "With Jokgu, originally from Korea, being officially adopted as an event in the National Sports Festival starting this year, its potential to grow beyond a recreational activity into an elite, competitive sport is gaining attention. This tournament is likewise drawing interest for its role in discovering new talent and invigorating the sport."

As the Korea Jokgu Association continues to promote the globalization of K-Sports Jokgu by introducing the sport to countries around the world, an international tournament where national teams from more than ten Asian countries will compete for the championship is scheduled for this fall.

The first such tournament in which Asian national teams will participate is being held in Busan. The inaugural Busan Asian Championship Jokgu Tournament will take place from October 31 to November 1 at the Minseok Sports Center at Dongseo University, hosted by the Korea Jokgu Association. The event is organized by the International Jokgu Federation, the Korea Jokgu Association, and the Busan Jokgu Association, with support from Busan Metropolitan City, the Busan Sports Council, Joy Kick Sports, and others.

Kim Joo-cheol, Vice President of the Korea Jokgu Association, stated, "The globalization of K-Sports, with Korea as the birthplace of Jokgu, is already becoming a reality. With Jokgu's inclusion as an official event in this year's National Sports Festival and its growing popularity as a recreational and school sport, hosting and attracting globally recognized Jokgu tournaments is within reach."

Scene from the Sarangmoa Jokgu Tournament hosted by The Asia Business Daily Yeongnam Headquarters held at Silla University in November 2024.

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