"United Through Sports"... 1st Hwaseong Mayor's Cup National Badminton Tournament for People with Disabilities

The '1st Hwaseong Special City Mayor's Cup National Badminton Tournament for People with Disabilities' was held on the 24th at the Hwaseong Indoor Badminton Court.

Around 350 athletes and officials participated from across the nation, demonstrating their refined skills in heated matches.

Matches were conducted according to disability type and competition level. The wheelchair division was organized as a four-person team competition, while the physical integration and intellectual B divisions operated as doubles matches.

Notably, the hearing integration and intellectual A divisions were conducted as "Harmony Mixed Doubles" where people with disabilities and people without disabilities formed teams together, adding special significance.

At the opening ceremony, Chae Min-woo, head of Hwaseong Special City's Education and Sports Bureau, encouraged the athletes and read the remarks of Mayor Jung Myung-keun on his behalf. The opening ceremony proceeded with athletic meritorious service awards, remarks and congratulatory speeches, declaration of opening, and player oath.

Mayor Jung Myung-keun stated in his remarks, "Sports have the power to challenge one's potential beyond winning and losing, to cheer for each other's passion, and to share the joy of being together. I hope this becomes a place where athletes display their refined skills to the fullest and where people with and without disabilities understand each other and share friendship."

Meanwhile, Hwaseong Special City is making full preparations as the main host city for the 47th National Sports Festival for People with Disabilities in 2027.