Present at the ceremony were Choe Ryong Hae, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea who doubles as chairman of the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission and, Vice-Premier Ro Tu Chol, chairman of the State Planning Commission who doubles as vice-chairman of the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission, and Kim Yong Hun, minister of Physical Culture and Sports, officials concerned, provincial (municipal) players and cheer squads, and working people, youths and students in Pyongyang.

Choe Ryong Hae in an opening address said the contest would be the one for glorifying for all ages the undying exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il for the mass sports of the country and for demonstrating the faith and will of the sportspersons and other Korean people to materialize the idea and intention of the Party to put the country on the status of a sports powerhouse as early as possible.

There was a march-past of the players to be followed by a men's basketball match between the Jagang and South Hwanghae provincial teams.