The sporting event will bring together more than 10 000 schoolchildren, who won the city, county and provincial preliminary matches. They are members of sports groups of schools throughout the country.

They will compete in 18 events including basketball, Taekwon-Do, Ssirum and skiing.

Attending the opening ceremony were Kim Sung Du, chairman of the Education Commission, Kim Il Guk, minister of Physical Culture and Sports, officials of the youth league and students.

After the ceremony, there was a men's basketball match between Kang Pan Sok Senior Middle School and Kim Ju Hyok Senior Middle School in Mangyongdae District.