Gwangju holds heads of delegation meeting for Summer Universiade

The International University Sports Federation and the 2015 Gwangju Universiade Organizing Committee has held heads of delegation meetings in Gwangju over the past three days to assess progress for the preparation of the sports gala.

Some 110 officials of the Summer Universiade from 51 countries participated in forums and events in the city to exchange key information and updates regarding the World University Games, which will kick off on July 3.

“The HOD meeting is an important step during the preparation phase of the Universiade,” FISU secretary general and CEO Eric Saintrond said in a press statement.

“It will also allow the HODs to deliver relevant information to the athletes and officials as well as the National Sports Federations, that are not always properly informed about the rules, standards, and specificities of our university sports events.”

Saintrond added that FISU would fully support the two Koreas in the torch relay and marching together at the games’ opening ceremony.

The organizing committee gave presentations to the heads of delegation to introduce the city and its venues for the Summer University Games, including athlete villages and the transportation system.

In addition to inspecting the games’ main venues, such as the new aquatics sports center and tennis court, FISU finalized its draw for sports teams for football, volleyball, handball, basketball, baseball and water polo. Saintrond conducted the team draw while the heads of delegation were present.

Korea’s athletes, including Choi Soon-ho, a former national football team player at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, and Hong Jeong-ho, a handball player who won the gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, assisted with the team draw.

The HOD meetings are held three months ahead of the Universiade, along with the team draw.

“The Korean University Sports Board will do its best to support the Gwangju Universiade towards making the Universiade a festival for students around the world to have a great experience in Gwangju,” Yoo Byung-jin, chairman of the KUSB, said in a statement.

The HOD meeting officially ends on Wednesday.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)