ID :
197429
Wed, 07/27/2011 - 05:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/197429
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Support pouring in for Daegu athletics championships
DAEGU (Yonhap) - With a month to go before the World Championships in Athletics open in this southeastern metropolitan city, support for a successful staging of the event has been pouring in from different quarters.
Since President Lee Myung-bak called for nationwide support for the Aug. 27-Sept. 4 championships at a recent Cabinet meeting, local governments, religious groups and private companies have tried to create buzz.
The International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) championships will bring together nearly 2,500 athletes from at least 207 countries, according to organizers. The biennial event is among the world's largest sports competitions and its coverage is transmitted to billions around the world.
Park Geun-hye, former chairwoman of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP), and Maeng Hyung-kyu, public administration and security minister, recently visited Daegu Stadium, the main venue for the event, in a show of support. On Thursday, the GNP and the government will hold a consultative meeting at the stadium to discuss ways to support the championships.
Local Daegu wings of the GNP and the main opposition Democratic Party have formed support groups and have hung banners around the city.
Corporations are doing their part, purchasing tickets en masse. The event organizers said recently that almost 350,000 of 453,962 tickets have been sold through last Thursday.
The religious sector has also participated. The Christian Council of Daegu said it will organize outdoor cheering events during the championships. Local Buddhist authorities said they will run temple stay programs for visiting athletes for a taste of traditional Korean culture.
Among regional governments; municipal authorities of Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Ulsan and Daejeon; and the provincial government of Gyeonggi have reached agreement with Daegu to lend a hand for the championships.
"Up until recently, most of the support had come from private companies," a Daegu city official said. "But many different groups have been offering to help. And with the 30-day countdown this week, hopefully the rest of the country will catch the fever."
On Thursday, Daegu will begin the 30-day countdown by opening the track and field interactive hall on the east wing of Daegu Stadium.
(END)
Since President Lee Myung-bak called for nationwide support for the Aug. 27-Sept. 4 championships at a recent Cabinet meeting, local governments, religious groups and private companies have tried to create buzz.
The International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) championships will bring together nearly 2,500 athletes from at least 207 countries, according to organizers. The biennial event is among the world's largest sports competitions and its coverage is transmitted to billions around the world.
Park Geun-hye, former chairwoman of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP), and Maeng Hyung-kyu, public administration and security minister, recently visited Daegu Stadium, the main venue for the event, in a show of support. On Thursday, the GNP and the government will hold a consultative meeting at the stadium to discuss ways to support the championships.
Local Daegu wings of the GNP and the main opposition Democratic Party have formed support groups and have hung banners around the city.
Corporations are doing their part, purchasing tickets en masse. The event organizers said recently that almost 350,000 of 453,962 tickets have been sold through last Thursday.
The religious sector has also participated. The Christian Council of Daegu said it will organize outdoor cheering events during the championships. Local Buddhist authorities said they will run temple stay programs for visiting athletes for a taste of traditional Korean culture.
Among regional governments; municipal authorities of Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Ulsan and Daejeon; and the provincial government of Gyeonggi have reached agreement with Daegu to lend a hand for the championships.
"Up until recently, most of the support had come from private companies," a Daegu city official said. "But many different groups have been offering to help. And with the 30-day countdown this week, hopefully the rest of the country will catch the fever."
On Thursday, Daegu will begin the 30-day countdown by opening the track and field interactive hall on the east wing of Daegu Stadium.
(END)
