Preparations for Gwangju Universiade HOD Meeting are on track

As one of the most important information and communication platforms, the

Universiade Heads of Delegation (HOD) Meeting will be held for 5 days from April 11

to 15 in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. 200 delegates from over 60 countries, including

the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea, will attend the HOD Meeting.

With only 83 days left until the Opening Ceremony, the HOD Meeting will also be an

opportunity for the Gwangju 2015 Universiade Organizing Committee (GUOC) to test a

variety of functional areas, such as transportation, immigration support,

accommodation, protocol etc. Through these simulations, the GUOC can check the

preparations, implement plans, and recognize any shortcomings before the actual

games.

HOD Meetings are usually held three months prior to the Summer Universiade, in

conjunction with the team draw of the team sports included in the sports program.

The dates, location of the meeting as well as its program are decided by the FISU

Executive Committee. The meeting usually lasts for three full days, excluding arrival

and departure.

In order to enable participants to visit the host city and to inspect the Universiade

venues, the organizing committee will provide the same sites for accommodation and

meeting services as the actual Summer Universiade.

On Sunday, April 12, the HOD Meeting, venue inspection, and official welcome dinner

will take place. Team draw for team sports, press conference, and more venue tours

will take place on April 13. On the last day of the meeting, the HOD meeting will

include Q&A sessions and venue inspections.

The HOD Meeting will also be an opportunity for Gwangju to showcase the 28th

Summer Universiade to the world. Not only delegations but also journalists from

around the world will be in Gwangju to see what the city has to offer in July.

As the team draw for team sports generates a significant amount of interest, the HOD

Meeting also draws the attention of sports fans. On April 13, team draws for

basketball, volleyball, water polo, football, and handball will take place.

Former Korean sports stars, such as three-time Olympian KANG Man-soo (volleyball),

Olympic gold medalist HONG Jeong-ho (handball), national football superstar CHOI

Soon-ho, and representatives from various sports associations will participate in the

team draw.

A GUOC representative said, "Communication is key to a successful event. Therefore,

the Gwangju Universiade is working hard to establish effective communication

channels between the organizing committee, participating countries, and FISU. By

providing the right information at the right time, we hope that the athletes and

officials can focus on the competitions and have fun in Gwangju."

For more information, please contact:

Jiyoung Lee, Foreign Press Officer

☏ +82 62 616 3663, e-mail: 2015press@gmail.com

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