Youth athletes from Chuncheon and Changzhou gathered at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome to begin five days of competition and cultural exchange, kwnews.co.kr reported.
The opening ceremony for the 2026 Korea-China Friendship Chuncheon-Changzhou Sports Exchange took place at 9:30 a.m. local time on the 10th. Chuncheon City Sports Council President Lee Kang-gyun, Chuncheon City Council Chair Lee Hee-ja, Chuncheon Office of Education Superintendent Lee Kyung-ok, and Gangwon Physical Education High School Principal Lim Kyung-bin attended the morning event.
The five-day event runs through the 13th, featuring youth competitors in football, weightlifting, and badminton. Chuncheon Citizen FC U-15 players represent the city in football, while students from Gangwon Physical Education High School compete in weightlifting. Yubong Girls’ Middle and High School athletes handle the badminton matches against visiting Chinese competitors.
Participants utilize training facilities at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome, Gangwon Physical Education High School, and Bomnae Gymnasium. Athletes hold joint training sessions and friendly matches throughout the schedule to compare techniques and training methods.
Visiting athletes and officials tour local sports infrastructure outside of match hours. The itinerary includes visits to Songam Sports Town and the SON Academy alongside regional cultural landmarks.
“This exchange will be a meaningful occasion for young people from both cities to communicate through the common language of sports, build international awareness, and forge friendships,” a Chuncheon City Sports Council official said. “We will provide our fullest support so that the athletes can finish their matches safely and fully experience the charm of Chuncheon.”
The exchange program concludes on the 13th as delegations wrap up their final joint training sessions and scheduled cultural tours across the region.
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