Yongsan-gu Invests in Youth Sports with Free Soccer and Tennis Programs
Yongsan-gu is committed to fostering the physical and social advancement of its young residents by offering free soccer and tennis classes in 2025. The initiative, spearheaded by District Mayor Park Hee-young, aims to address the lack of adequate physical education spaces and promote a healthy lifestyle for children.
Registration Opens for Exciting Sports Programs
Enrollment for the 2025 youth sports programs at the Yongsan Children’s Garden Sports Field is now open. Fifty elementary school students can join the soccer program,while the tennis program welcomes 48 elementary and middle school students.
Interested applicants,who must reside in yongsan-gu or attend schools within the district,can apply on a first-come,first-served basis through the Yongsan-gu Educational Complete Portal from January 6th to 10th,2025. Following online application, participants must submit the required documents to the designated email address.Comprehensive Physical Education Opportunities
The daily physical education classes will be held at the Yongsan Children’s Garden Sports field’s soccer field and tennis court from February to December 2025. Soccer Class: Tuesdays to Fridays, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Tennis Class: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Further expanding access to sports, Yongsan-gu will also introduce soccer and tennis classes at local daycare centers starting in March 2025. notably, the children’s tennis program will utilize specialized lightweight balls and rackets to ensure a fun and engaging learning experience for younger participants.
Benefits Beyond the Playing Field
All programs are offered free of charge, providing equal opportunities for Yongsan-gu’s youth to enhance their physical fitness, develop teamwork skills, and cultivate leadership qualities.
Mayor Park Hee-young emphasized the importance of these programs, stating, “The Yongsan Children’s Garden’s physical education classroom will help alleviate the shortage of physical education spaces and create an environment where children can play freely.” He further added, “We are dedicated to supporting diverse physical education programs to ensure the healthy and joyful growth of our young citizens.”
Empowering Young Athletes: A Discussion on Yongsan-gu’s free Sports Programs
Welcome back, sports fans! Today, we’re diving into a fantastic initiative taking place right here in South Korea: Yongsan-gu’s commitment to providing free soccer and tennis programs for local youth in 2025. Joining us today is none other than retired professional soccer player, Park ji-sung, to offer his expert insights.
Welcome to the show, Ji-sung!
Ji-sung: It’s a pleasure to be here.
Now, Ji-sung, Yongsan-gu is aiming to address the lack of adequate physical education spaces with these programs. As someone who dedicated
your life to the beatiful game, how important do you think accessible sports facilities are for young athletes?
Ji-sung: it’s absolutely crucial. Having access to proper training grounds and facilities can make a world of difference for aspiring athletes. It provides them with a safe and conducive surroundings to develop their skills and pursue their passion.
Moderator: I couldn’t agree more. Yongsan-gu’s initiative is particularly commendable as it extends to both elementary and middle school students. Do you think early exposure to organized sports can significantly impact a child’s progress?
Ji-sung: Definitely.We’re talking about formative years here.Sports instill discipline, teamwork, and a competitive spirit, qualities that are invaluable both on and off the field. Early exposure can ignite a lifelong love for sports and promote healthy habits from a young age.
moderator:
The program also aims to tackle the rising issue of childhood obesity. do you see these initiatives playing a role in promoting a healthier lifestyle among Yongsan-gu’s youth?
Ji-sung:
Absolutely.Childhood obesity is a serious concern worldwide.These free programs provide an chance for kids to be active, have fun, and learn about the importance of physical fitness. Engaging in sports can be much more appealing than sedentary activities like video gaming.
We’re hearing positive feedback about the smaller class sizes and specialized equipment for younger participants. It truly seems Yongsan-gu is putting thought into the specific needs of different age groups.
Ji-sung: It’s crucial.Kids need an environment where they can learn and thrive. Smaller class sizes enable more individualized attention from coaches,and using adapted equipment,like lightweight tennis rackets,makes the experience more enjoyable and accessible for younger children.
Moderator:**
This is all incredibly encouraging, and frankly, it’s initiatives like these that give me hope for the future of sports!
Readers, we want to hear from you: What do you think about Yongsan-gu’s investment in youth sports programs? Do you believe initiatives like these can make a real difference in our communities? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
