The premier football league for the Contest began at the May Day Stadium here on December 5.

It is unusual in the country to organize football matches in the contest and the inclusion of football event in the contest is aimed to raise the footballers' physical and technical level and help them gain more experience, an official concerned told KCNA.

Taking part in the premier league are 14 men's teams and 12 women's teams, among them men's teams of Ryongnamsan and Jebi and a women's team from the Ministry of Light Industry.

Rimyongsu defeated Amnokgang 2:0 in the first-day men's matches while Sobaeksu beat Amnokgang 4:2 in women's matches. The women's match between the Ministry of Light Industry and Kalmaegi teams ended in a draw 2:2.

The premier league will continue till December 24.

Meanwhile, the second-division football tournament for the Contest started at the Sosan Football Stadium on December 1.