The participants in the games will compete in football, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey and other events in Pyongyang, Samjiyon, Phyongsong, Sariwon cities and other places.

Present at the ceremony were Ri Tu Song, department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea who doubles as vice-chairman of the National Sports Guidance Committee, Kim Il Guk, minister of Physical Culture and Sports, officials concerned and sports persons.

Kim Song Ryong, vice-premier of the Cabinet, made an opening address.

The speaker said that the games will be an important occasion to celebrate with splendor the 80th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il as a great revolutionary auspicious event, add shine to the immortal exploits performed by the peerlessly great man in building the physical culture and sports of the country and develop the professional sports techniques.

At the end of the ceremony, there took place a march-past by players and men's 3x3 basketball match between the April 25 Sports Team and the Amnokgang Sports Team.