More than 6,500 students from Jeonnam will gather in Gurye to compete in sports and experience various cultural and career programs during a festival.
The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Office of Education announced on September 7 that the '2026 Jeonnam Student Sports and Culture Festival' will take place in Gurye County from September 11 to 19.
This festival will center around the 20th Education Superintendent's School Sports Club Competition, combining sports and cultural experiences to allow students to learn the values of challenge and cooperation beyond competition.
A total of 6,583 students from 22 cities and counties in Jeonnam will participate in the school sports club competition.
The events will include a variety of sports, such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and dodgeball, as well as less common activities like kin-ball, flying disc, sports stacking, cheerleading, Go, and park golf, totaling 26 events where schools and localities will compete for honor.
In addition to the sports competitions, experiential programs will be offered to encourage student participation and enjoyment.
On September 17 and 18, a 'Cultural Experience Booth' will be set up at the Gurye Indoor Gymnasium and Gurye Public Stadium.
Students will have the opportunity to engage in VR sports, AI Go, golf swing and putting, rocket bowling, shooting and AR experiences, sports taping, and making sports pendants.
Moreover, programs related to career exploration, such as hair and makeup, nail beauty, baking, and barista skills, will also be available to broaden student participation.
Local schools and educational and sports institutions will contribute to the event. Jeonnam Beauty High School, Samgye Busa High School, Hwasun Invention Education Center, Mokpo University Department of Physical Education, Korea Go High School, Dahyang High School, Hampyeong Golf High School, and the Jeonnam Sports Science Center will all participate in running the experiential programs.
Given the large number of students involved, the education office is prioritizing safety management. They plan to designate event coordinators for each sport and ensure medical personnel and ambulances are available at each venue to prepare for emergencies.
Gu Yong-hyuk, head of the Physical Education and Health Division, stated, “This Jeonnam Student Sports and Culture Festival is not just a competition for the best students, but a celebration where all students can enjoy sports and support each other's challenges while growing together. We aim to create an educational environment where every student can enjoy sports and cultural arts and grow healthily.”
This year's festival will target students from 22 cities and counties in Jeonnam, but starting next year, it will expand to include students from both Jeonnam and Gwangju in a joint sports and culture festival. The education office plans to enhance school sports clubs as educational activities that promote not only physical fitness but also teamwork and community spirit.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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