Kim Dae-hyun, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is visiting the site of the '2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games' to encourage the South Korean national disabled sports team.
The ministry announced that Kim will visit the competition site from October 20 to 22 to support the athletes and assess the support situation.
On the first day, October 20, he will start at the athletics stadium, and on the 21st, he will visit venues for swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair fencing where South Korean athletes are competing.
Kim will also engage in sports diplomacy. On the evening of October 20, he will attend the 'Asia Night' event hosted by the ministry in collaboration with the Korea Paralympic Committee, welcoming international sports figures.
This event aims to gather leaders from the Asian disabled sports community in conjunction with the Asian Para Games. The Asian Paralympic Committee (AsPC) and the BDH Foundation are official sponsors of the event.
Approximately 150 attendees will include the AsPC chairperson, executive members of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), chairs of national Paralympic committees from various Asian countries, and representatives from international sports federations and organizing committees. Kim plans to foster cooperation in disabled sports between South Korea and other Asian nations through interactions with these officials.
Additionally, during the event, the Korea Paralympic Committee and the BDH Foundation will sign a memorandum of understanding to support the development of disabled sports in 12 Asian countries. This agreement aims to enhance South Korea's standing in the international disabled sports arena and expand its role as a cooperative nation in advancing disabled sports in Asia.
On the 22nd, Kim will visit the headquarters of the Korea Paralympic Committee's support team established in Nagoya to review the operation of the situation room.
The delegation is staying in 17 hotels in addition to the athletes' village. Consequently, the support team is implementing a system that directly visits the locations of the athletes instead of relying on a central hub as in previous competitions. Medical facilities are set up in six regions, with medical personnel providing services such as physical therapy at the athletes' accommodations and competition venues. Two officials are dispatched for each sport to assist with team operations on-site and provide meals tailored to the athletes' locations and conditions.
Kim plans to commend the efforts of the on-site personnel.
Kim Dae-hyun stated, "The challenge of our athletes, who transcend their limits, is the greatest inspiration. The sweat shed in Nagoya will lead to valuable results, and the government will stand by the athletes until the end."
The South Korean delegation has sent 357 members, including 214 athletes, to compete in all 18 events at this tournament. Their goal is to win at least 21 gold medals and achieve a top-six overall ranking.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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