A friendly match is also being held between the Chungju Seongsim School alumni and the Jomajoma celebrity baseball team.

OK Financial Group announced that on the 24th, the '16th Seon Dong-yeol Cup OK National Deaf Baseball Championship (hereinafter referred to as the OK National Deaf Baseball Championship)' will take place at Suwon KT Wiz Park.

Prior to this, in the preliminary rounds held on the 17th at Chungju Tank Geum Baseball Field and Suanbo Baseball Field, a total of nine teams participated, two more than the previous tournament, competing fiercely for a spot in the finals, with four teams (Goyang Angels, Chungju Seongsim School, Daegu Hawk Eyes, Cheongju Dragon Years) successfully advancing to the semifinals.

On the 24th at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively, the Goyang Angels will compete against Chungju Seongsim School, and Daegu Hawk Eyes will face Cheongju Dragon Years for tickets to the finals. Various attractions are also planned for fans attending the venue.

This year, Saori, a celebrity who has been an ambassador for the tournament since 2022, will perform a sign language congratulatory performance to enhance the opening ceremony, while the Chungju Seongsim School alumni team and the Jomajoma celebrity baseball team will play an exhibition match to add to the fun. After the exhibition match, the finals of the main tournament are scheduled. The OK National Deaf Baseball Championship can be viewed for free without a separate ticket purchase.

Now in its 16th year, the OK National Deaf Baseball Championship was initiated by Choi Yoon, chairman of OK Financial Group, and former national baseball team coach Seon Dong-yeol, who formed a consensus on promoting sports for the deaf. In 2019, the tournament was renamed the 'Seon Dong-yeol Cup OK National Deaf Baseball Championship' to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its establishment.

Under the consistent hosting and support of OK Financial Group, deaf baseball is gradually expanding its base. The increase in deaf baseball teams compared to last year has also led to a larger scale of preliminary rounds and, starting from 2022, when the tournament resumed after three years due to COVID-19, it has been held at Suwon KT Wiz Park, providing a better environment for the event.

Furthermore, as the OK National Deaf Baseball Championship continues to be held and interest in deaf baseball grows, support has also steadily increased. This year, the fan club of Tournament Chair Seon Dong-yeol, 'The Group Who Loves Seon Dong-yeol,' plans to sponsor baseballs for all participating teams.

Former coach Seon Dong-yeol said, 'I want to thank OK Savings Bank for their efforts in hosting the tournament this year. Thanks to their continuous support, the Deaf Baseball Championship has been able to continue, and as a result, it seems that the base is gradually widening, which makes me very happy. I hope the deaf players can showcase their skills and put on a great game this year.'

knightjisu@osen.co.kr

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