By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
GWANGJU ― A wheelchair rugby match was under way between teams from Daejeon and Gangwon Wednesday morning at Chonnam National University Gymnasium.
Both teams were fierce, and as wheelchairs often clashed, players yelled with excitement while their coaches shouted out instructions. Then venue was the 28th National Sports Games for the Disabled under way from Oct.5 and ending today in the southwestern city of Gwangju.
Despite the enthusiasm among the players, there were no spectators and hardly any cheerleading. There were some people in the seats, but they were all volunteers wearing yellow jackets.
Outside the building, many volunteers stood in front of the entrance, but since there was no audience, they had nothing to do. They sat around drinking coffee and counted the number of brochures again and again.
A volunteer Kim Yu-mi said she had not seen any people other than those related to the teams at the games. ``The volunteers are the biggest cheerleaders and fans here,'' she added.
A man in a wheelchair, Kim, said, ``The game was held inside a national university facility but I could not see a single student,'' he said.
It wasn't just the rugby game. Other games also suffered indifference from non-disabled people. Bowling, athletics and some 20 other sports in which more than 4,000 players were competing.
Despite Gwangju local government vowing to make the games harmonious between the disabled and the non-disabled, the players encountered double difficulties ― public indifference and systematic problems.
The bowling game was held at Hami, a private bowling center on the second floor of the building, which made it very awkward for players to get around. Though there were lifts to carry them upstairs, it seemed clear that their mobility was limited.
Inside, the players had to share with the volunteers since there was hardly room, and they were drinking and eating on the floor.
``I know that we cannot play in the same environment as the non-disabled people, but this is far less than what we deserve,'' a player, who declined to identify herself, said.
At the athletic events, the 42,000-seat stadium was empty.
The organizers, admitted some failures.
``But I think the promotions and games held at familiar places brought the citizens much closer to the disabled people at some point. It will get better,'' Hong Na-sun of the city government said.