Great Event Held In Jeonju City - A City Of Traditional Culture And Arts 2001 Jeonju World (SORI) International Commemorative Gateball Tournament In Korea
The event's title SORI means traditional culture and arts. As one event in the festival held to preserve and promote traditional Korean culture an international friendship gateball tournament was held on October 20, 21 in Jeonju City. (sponsored by Jeonju City, and administrated by Korea GB Union of Sports For All) A total of 146 teams participated with 114 teams from Korea, 7 from China, 15 from Taiwan and 10 from Japan (Hyogo, Kagoshima,Gifu). A display of Korean national drum music and dance was performed in welcome party (see photo on left).
On the first day, teams played in 4-team groups in a preliminary league. On the following day, the 40 teams that were placed first took part in the finals tournament. The Korean team of handicapped players was impressive getting through to the finals playing as though they had no handicaps at all. The winner was the Korean Team, and runner-up was the Chinese Team.
In Korea at present the goal is to establish 16 chapters with courts and secretariats. About half of these have been completed. Also, in autumn next year, plans are in progress in Pusan City to hold an international friendship tournament to commemorate its holding of the 14th Asian Championships.