'The Strongest Footballer' Jeju, the first winner of the Special Olympics Korea-K League Unified Cup"

By Jinman, Yoon

Nov 10, 2024

'The Strongest Footballer' Jeju, the first winner of the Special Olympics Korea-K League Unified Cup'

Photo provided = Special Olympics Korea

The Jeju United Unified Football Team has become the 'first winner'.

Jeju became the first winner with six points after winning two games in Group A of the '2024 Special Olympics Korea-K League Unified Cup' (integrated football) division held at Suanbo Sports Park in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do for two days from the 9th to the 10th. Jeju, led by head coach Yang Yoo-young, defeated Busan and Gyeongnam in the same group 6-0 and 3-1, respectively. Jeju, which consists of special (developmentally disabled) players from the Jeju Disabled Football Association, emerged as an emerging powerhouse by winning two consecutive games after becoming the first winner of Group A last year. Gyeongnam, which had 1 win, 1 loss and 3 points, was the second winner of Group A, and Busan, which lost all two games, was the third winner of Group A.

In Group B of Devision, Pohang (2 wins, 1 draw, 7 points), Seongnam (2 wins, 1 draw, 7 points), Bucheon (1 wins, 2 losses, 3 points), and Incheon (3 losses, 0 points) are the first to go side by sideIt was the fourth winner. Pohang tied Seongnam for points, but was one goal ahead of Seongnam.

In Group C, Daegu, which is playing for the first time, became the first winner with all three wins, followed by Jeonnam (2-1, 6 points), the Korea Professional Football Federation (1 wins, 2 losses, 3 points), and Daejeon (3 losses, 0 points).

Coach Yang Yoo-young, who led Jeju to the first winner of Group A, won the Leader's Award. Daegu Han Jae-hyuk won the MVP in the special category and Seongnam Cho Min-gyu won the MVP in the partner category, respectively. Sanghyuk Jung, South Gyeongsang Province, and Andong Jun, South Jeolla Province, won the Special and Partner categories, respectively.

Photo provided = Special Olympics Korea

Co-hosted by the foundation K-League Association (Chairman Kwak Young-jin) and Special Olympics Korea, and sponsored by Hyundai Motor Group, Community Chest of Korea, Ringti, Dongwon Spring Water and Papa John's '2024 Special Olympics Korea-K League Unified Cup' is an integrated soccer-based competition in which athletes with developmental disabilities and non-disabled partners play as a team. Integrated soccer aims to help the developmentally disabled and non-disabled understand each other through sports, and further realize the value of social inclusion and equality for the developmentally disabled.

About 260 people from 11 integrated soccer teams under each K-League club (Federation, Gyeongnam, Daegu, Daejeon, Busan, Bucheon, Seongnam, Incheon, Jeonnam, Jeju and Pohang) participated in the tournament. All games are based on 11-man football, with six special (developmentally disabled) players and five partner players from each team playing 25 minutes each from the first half (20 minutes in Group C). The specialist distinguished himself by kicking the armband on his right arm. The partner set the local rules to prevent him from scoring consecutive goals. All games are played only in a group stage with no burden of winning or losing, and at the awards ceremony, the winners are awarded from each group 'first winner'(1st place) to 'fourth winner'(4th place).

A variety of events were held, including soccer training sessions hosted by Lee Yoon-pyo, Lee Sang-hyup and Lee Joon-hee from the K League, filming Cho Won-hee-type content with Cho Won-hee, recreation involving the entire team, and education to improve awareness of the disabled. Cho Won-hee, a former member of the national team, blew the referee's whistle herself.

◇2024 Special Olympics Korea-K League Unified Cup Winner

▶Leader's Award = Jeju Director Yang Yoo-young

▶MVP=Special-Han Jae-hyuk (Daegu)/Partner-Cho Min-gyu (Seongnam)

▶Score Award = Special-Korea Sanghyuk Jung (Gyeongnam)/Partner-Dongjun Ahn (Jeonnam)

yoonjinman@sportschosun.com