In this regard, an official concerned of the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports, told KCNA:

Provinces and municipalities have already picked out their players through selection tournaments. And those selected are getting intensive training.

The hopefuls for the contest are considered to be teams from South Phyongan Province, South Hwanghae Province and Nampho Municipality, who took top three places in the 2013 provincial mass sports contest.

It is the first time for teams from Pyongyang and Rason cities to participate in the contest. But they are expected to have great capabilities.

In the event of ssirum (Korean wrestling), the team from North Phyongan Province is believed to win the title as it has Ri Jo Won, four times winner of the Grand Bull Prize National Ssirum Contest.