World Tournament for the “2024 Paris Olympics” Table Tennis Team Slots Held at BEXCO Convention Centre in Busan from Feb 16 to 25, with 16 Qualifying Spots at Stake

The “2022 Hangzhou Asian Games” Gold Medalists SHIN Yubin and JEON Jihee Set to Compete, With High Expectations for Their Performance

Minister YU to Open the Event on Feb 17, “Expecting the next generation of table tennis stars to be born in Busan,” “Become a vibrant sports powerhouse by expanding the base of table tennis”

The “ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024” is set to take place from February 16 (Fri) to February 25 (Sun) at the BEXCO Convention Centre in Busan, South Korea. This championship will see the participation of approximately 2,000 athletes from 40 countries, competing in the men’s and women’s team events. Minister YU In Chon of the MCST will officiate the opening ceremony and celebrate the hosting of the championships in South Korea on Saturday, February 17, at 4 p.m., at BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1.

Hosted by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the World Table Tennis Championships alternates annually between individual and team competitions. This year, the Organizing Committee for the 2024 Busan World Table Tennis Championships is set to manage the competition, featuring two team events, men’s and women’s. This tournament holds particular significance as it not only offers 16 qualification spots for the “2024 Paris Olympics” table tennis team competition but also coincides with the centennial celebration of table tennis in Korea, dating back to 1924. It is the first time the country has hosted the championship in such a historic year.

For the women’s team event, South Korea fields SHIN Yubin, JEON Jihee, LEE Zion, YOON Hyobin, and LEE Eunhye, while the men’s team comprises JANG Woojin, LIM Jonghoon, LEE Sangsu, PARK Gyuhyun, and AN Jaehyun. With SHIN Yubin and JEON Jihee securing the first gold medal in women’s doubles at the “2022 Hangzhou Asian Games” after 21 years, anticipation is high for their performance and potential medal wins at this championship.

The tournament kicks off with a spectacular lineup, including a traditional Korean military band, Chui-ta-dae, a laser show, and a celebratory performance by renowned singer Sohyang, setting a festive tone for the event

The opening ceremony on February 17 unveiled the championship with a vibrant display, starting with Chui-ta-dae music, an EDM laser show inspired by the slogan “One Table, One World History” that encapsulates the spirit of table tennis as a global unifier, and an exhilarating performance by singer Sohyang delivering the official anthem “Win for You.” This array of performances sets a dynamic commencement for the tournament.

Minister YU also visited various cultural project sites in Busan

Furthermore, Minister YU In Chon toured cultural project sites in Busan prior to the opening ceremony. His itinerary includes a visit to “F1963,” a venue ingeniously transformed from a deserted factory into a vibrant, multifaceted cultural space, showcasing the transformative power of culture and content in breathing new life and value into existing structures.

Minister YU expressed his aspirations for the championship, stating, “We anticipate that this event will herald the rise of Korea’s future table tennis talents in Busan and broaden the appeal of table tennis as an accessible sport for all, propelling our nation toward becoming an energetic sports powerhouse. Furthermore, we look forward to leveraging this tournament as a platform to globally promote the dynamism of K-culture.”