The Gangnam-gu Council attended the Gangnam-gu Hanmaeum Sports Day for People with Disabilities on Thursday morning at Segok Sports Park, joining participants with and without disabilities in a day of athletic activities and community fellowship.
Organized by the Gangnam-gu Disabled Sports Association, the event was designed to expand opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in recreational sports and to foster a sports culture where disabled and non-disabled residents can interact naturally.
Assembly Speaker Lee Jae-jin, Economic and Urban Affairs Committee Chair Song Yeong-gwang, and council members Kim Jin-gyeong, Park Dae-yong and No Mi-jin attended, joining participants in a range of sports and hands-on activities to celebrate the spirit of inclusion in disability sports.
About 500 people took part, including people with disabilities, personal care assistants, local residents, National Assembly member Seo Myeong-ok and Gangnam-gu District Mayor Kim Hyeon-gi, along with other guests. The event opened with a nanta percussion performance, followed by commendations for outstanding contributions to disability sports, a fun sports competition featuring five events, and a color-board-flipping recreation activity.
Experience booths were also set up where participants could try national energy exercise (gukhaggigong), hankung and shulen, giving attendees a chance to explore a variety of lifestyle sports.
The fun sports competition was a particular highlight, featuring five events: lifting the globe, shoe archery, a ball-pit ball festival, tire rolling and ad-balloon volleyball — all designed for participants to enjoy together, deepen mutual understanding and come together in a meaningful way.
"The sweat and effort you athletes have poured in have proven to all of us that we can do it, and you have moved us deeply," Assembly Speaker Lee Jae-jin said. "I hope that today becomes a festival day where the field is filled with everyone's passionate energy, win or lose."
He added that the Gangnam-gu Council would spare no effort in expanding sports infrastructure and providing tailored support so that athletes with disabilities can safely and comfortably enjoy sports and pursue their dreams.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
