Dalseong-gun holds 31st residents' sports festival

Dalseong-gun in Daegu held the 31st Dalseong Residents' Day Sports Festival at Dalseong General Sports Park on Friday.

Sponsored by Dalseong-gun and organized by the Dalseong-gun Sports Council, the event was held under the slogan "Nine Flames, One Dalseong."

The festivities opened with a performance of "Hand in Hand" by the Dalseong County Choir, followed by an Areum janggo nanta percussion show and a military band performance that built the festival atmosphere.

At the opening ceremony, folk music performances by troupes from all nine towns and townships drew the crowd's attention.

A commendation ceremony followed, honoring individuals who have contributed to local development in recognition of Residents' Day.

Kim Yun-cheol, chairman of the Yuga Cheongdam Scholarship Foundation, received the Proud Dalseong Person Award, while Park Yeon-geun, finance director of the Daegu chapter of the Korean Red Cross, Shin Gyeong-yong, chairman of the Geumhwa Welfare Foundation, and Lee Yeong-man, former chairman of the Okpo-eup Agricultural Managers' Association, each received the Dalseong Resident Award.

A highlight of the event was the torch-lighting ceremony. The torch, lit during a ceremonial dance performed by seven fairies, was passed in turn to runners representing each of the nine towns and townships before being used to light the main cauldron, marking the official start of competition.

The athletic program featured 20 events in total, including lifestyle sports, track and field, folk and community games, and a dodgeball competition among elementary and middle schools.

The venue also offered a variety of activity booths — including CPR training, traditional games, mini golf, cheering prop making, photo booth experiences and a claw machine game — adding to the festive atmosphere.

Kim Seong-je, chairman of the Dalseong-gun Sports Council, thanked everyone who worked to make the event a success. "We will continue to do our best to promote the health and unity of residents and to invigorate the local community," he said.

Dalseong-gun County Chief Choi Jae-hun called on residents to rally behind the event's spirit. "Just as our slogan says — nine flames, one Dalseong — let us bring together the passion of all nine towns and townships and the hearts of our residents as we move toward a new future for Dalseong," he said. "The unity and passion we have built together today will be the driving force behind Dalseong's greater leap forward."

Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho, who attended despite a busy schedule, said he hoped "Dalseong-gun will continue to grow into a central city leading Daegu's future, built on the strong foundation of community unity."