Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Secures KRW 32.4 Billion in National Funding after Having the Most Projects Selected Nationwide for the Senior Sports Program Support Initiative

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that all nine projects it submitted were selected under the “2026 Senior Sports Program Support” public offering hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, securing a total of KRW 32.4 billion in national funding.

Through this public offering, the City will receive KRW 10.8 billion per year over three years, amounting to a total of KRW 32.4 billion.

< Overview of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s “2026 Senior Sports Program Support” Public Offering >

• ●Program details: Support for senior-oriented community sports programs reflecting regional characteristics

• ●Eligible participants: Seniors aged 65 and older (regardless of income; participation also allowed for those aged 50 and older and for intergenerational programs)

• ●Funding scale: National funding of at least KRW 1 billion per planned project, provided over three years from 2026 to 2028

• ●Selection process: Written evaluation by planned project unit, with selection based on highest scores

In this public offering, 33 projects from 11 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide were selected. Among them, Busan Metropolitan City achieved the notable accomplishment of having all nine of its submitted projects selected.

This outcome reflects recognition of the City’s sustained efforts to expand the foundation of community sports for seniors. It is particularly significant in that it secures favorable conditions for advancing senior-focused community sports policies on a mid- to long-term basis.

Notably, from the application stage, Busan Metropolitan City successfully encouraged participation from a wide range of stakeholders—including district and county governments, the Busan Sports Council, elderly welfare departments and organizations, and local universities—thereby establishing an implementation system that enables seniors across Busan to access community sports programs as part of their daily lives near their places of residence.

In addition to the City and the Busan Sports Council, institutions with strong field experience and professional expertise—such as Catholic University of Pusan, Dong-eui Institute of Technology, and the Busan Community Sports Culture Center—participated in the initiative. As a result, the following nine projects were selected:
▲ “2026 Busan Sports Big Challenge 30×30”
▲ “Run Busan Life Run”
▲ “Youth Energy Class”
▲ “Haha Campus Senior Community Sports”
▲ “Senior Sports Activity Gugak Qigong* Classes”
▲ “Bravo Life Senior Swimming & Active Senior Pickleball**”
▲ “Balance, Vitality, and Youth! Silver Jiu-Jitsu Program”
▲ “Healthy Living through Senior Table Tennis”
▲ “Busan Senior Health Companion School”

* Gugak Qigong: A community sports discipline that systematizes traditional Korean mind–body training methods to suit modern lifestyles
** Pickleball: A racket sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, designed to be easily enjoyed by people of all ages and genders

These projects will focus on community sports disciplines that emphasize safety and accessibility, reflecting the characteristics of sports tailored for seniors. In addition, by expanding participation through initiatives such as intergenerational engagement, hybrid online–offline implementation linked with exercise verification applications, and the formation of clubs, the projects are expected to strengthen an “intergenerational community sports environment.”

The programs are structured to include:
▲ a framework that allows families and younger generations to participate together with seniors at the center;
▲ parallel implementation of non-face-to-face and in-person programs utilizing exercise verification applications; and
▲ support for forming clubs to encourage sustained participation among participants.

Through these efforts, positive outcomes are anticipated, including:
▲ maintenance of physical functions and prevention of chronic diseases among seniors;
▲ expansion of social interaction through sports participation and prevention of social isolation; and
▲ broader communication and empathy as younger, middle-aged, and senior generations naturally interact.

Son Tae-uk, Director General of the Sports Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “This selection is the result of recognition of the City’s policy efforts to respond to an aging society,” adding, “We will continue to identify and disseminate diverse community sports programs so that all generations, including seniors, can enjoy sports throughout their entire life cycle, and thereby realize Busan as a ‘city where community sports thrive.’”