Sporting event slated for migrant workers in Seoul

Migrant workers and Koreans compete in balloon judo at last year’s migrant workers’ athletic competition. The annual event will be held at the Jamsil Sports Complex in Songpa-gu, southeastern Seoul, Sunday. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

By You Soo-sun

Seoul city will hold its seventh annual migrant workers’ sports competition at the Jamsil Sports Complex in Songpa-gu, southeastern Seoul, Sunday.

About 900 people, including foreigners and Korean nationals, are expected to participate in the event.

The event is held for the 120,000 migrant workers living here to offer a chance for foreigners and Korean nationals to come together, according to the city government.

For some, it is an event they look forward to all year. One participant from China said, “I came with my family last year and had a wonderful time, so I decided to participate again this year. There is much to see, various games and concerts ― my family looks forward to this all year round as it’s a chance for us to meet people from different countries.”

Participants can compete in any of the seven sports, including long-distance shoe-kicking, balloon judo, and tug-of-war. They can also enjoy other activities such as darts, limbo and yunnori, a traditional Korean dice game played with sticks called yut. Participants will receive gifts during a special event.

In addition, participants may learn to properly use industrial safety gear from the Association for Migrant Workers’ Human Rights and receive medical counseling from Seongbuk Central Hospital.

“I hope this will open up ways for foreigners to interact with Koreans and serve as an energizing experience while they live away from home,” said Um Kyu-sook , Seoul’s Women and Family Affairs Office representative. “We will continue to host diverse and creative events for foreign residents.”