Sun, Jun 09, 2002 page16

• On your marks for Busan's Asian Games

  PACKING THEM IN Successful infrastructure development sees Kaohsiung's sister city host soccer World Cup matches this month and the Asian Games in September

  • By Jules Quartly / STAFF REPORTER
  • • 
    • 
    • 

  Once World Cup soccer fans have left Busan at the end of this month, the South Korean city will have barely three months to prepare for the Asian Games. And after that it's the Choir Olympics.

  Kaohsiung's sister city is having a busy year, but most of the hard work was done a long time ago.

  

  People make their way into the Busan Asian Games Stadium in the South Korean port city of Busan on Friday.

  PHOTO: JULES QUARTLY, TAIPEI TIMES

  New stadiums, infrastructure development and intensive lobbying by the city's government have brought success to this port city on the southeastern edge of the Korean peninsula.

  While Taipei tears itself apart to build just one stadium, the now notorious "egg" on the site of the Sungshan tobacco factory, South Korea's second city has an 80,000-seat stadium and a supplementary stadium for 15,000 people.

  It has also recently constructed eight new sports complexes in the city and county. These 13 sites will provide 38 stadiums and 45 practice facilities plus an athletes' village.

  This success is in stark contrast to Taiwan, where President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) sought-for international recognition remains elusive.

  You have to put in to get out, said Rho Yoon-suck, the assistant director of Busan city's Culture and Art Department who has overseen much of the development that has taken place in Busan over the past 20 years.

  Rho said he had traveled all over the world to help bring marquee events to Busan and they helped provide a window through which the world could view South Korea.

  "You have to be active to develop relationships and bring people to your city," he said.

  "Busan is increasing the visibility of Asian people in general and its citizens are very proud of their achievements, of putting Asia first."

  Speaking of Taiwan, Rho said the sister cities of Busan and Kaohsiung are similar in many ways. He said they are both big ports (Busan is the third largest container-handling port in the world) and are both second cities situated in the south of their respective countries.

  "Busan and Kaohsiung are like brothers or sisters, they are equal, but Kaohsiung is not appreciated as much," Rho said.

  "If they really want to be appreciated they have to develop and in particular build stadiums to hold events that will attract people," he said.

  "All over the world people come here and see what we have to offer, our culture, sport and art. This develops an interest in Korea and also brings business opportunities."

  "We know that these big events bring in tourists, but we also know that it brings in a lot of repeat business after the events have finished."

  Rho said there were also valuable spin-off effects from holding large-scale events for Busan's citizens.

  "The World Cup and Asian Games give us an opportunity to upgrade the city for future generations," he said.

  The Asian Games will be the first all-Asian sporting event of the millennium and will be staged with the theme "New Vision, New Asia." They will be held from Sept. 29 to Oct. 14 and are expected to draw 18,000 athletes, games officials and media personnel from 43 Asian nations.

  They will be housed in a purpose-built athletes' village comprising 2,290 apartments, along with a variety of facilities to keep competitors in top condition. It will be located in Asiad Park, which features a complex of cinemas, shopping centers and pubs.

  There will be 37 events, including athletics, yachting, archery and the martial art of wushu, with a total of 404 gold medals up for grabs.

  An army of 22,000 volunteers has been rounded up to help the Asiad run smoothly and a mock Asiad will take place in September to iron out any unforeseen difficulties.

  Rho said that a comprehensive program of cultural events and performances would also be laid on before and after the Asiad, including native dancing, traditional music and concerts.

  There will also be an Asian Week Festival, street parties at Jagalchi Market near the harbor and an international film festival, he said.

  "Because we have a port we must be an international city and this means we must attract foreigners to come to us."

  The 2002 Busan Choir Olympics takes place after the Asian Games, from Oct. 19 to Oct. 27.

  With the slogan, "Singing together brings nations together," the event is another monster, with 20,000 singers in 400 choirs from 70 nations, including Taiwan, taking part.

  It is estimated that 300,000 people will come to hear all these songbirds and the lofty hope of it all will be to "reach for the grand unification of the entire world through singing together."
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Napoli’s title hopes shaken by late Genoa equalizer

  • 2

    Privately owned city in Kenya taking on corrupt officials

  • 3

    MOE to encourage foreigners to work in Taiwan

  • 4

    Kane tastes first title as Bayern bid farewell to Mueller

  • 5

    Taiwan celebrates V-E Day for first time