All of World Cup Stars at All-star Game Tomorrow

Stars in the ground gathered together.

The players who are selected for the 2002 Puma All-star Pro Soccer Match (Aug. 15th, Seoul World Cup Stadium) gathered on August 13, 2002 at the Tower Hotel in Seoul. The players had a relaxation this day and will warm up on August 14th in the World Cup Stadium in Sangahm Dong, Mapho Gu, Seoul.

This year’s All-star game will be a war between stars having numerous female fans such as Kim Nam-il (Chunam Dragons), Lee Chun-soo (Woolsan Hyundai), Hong Myung-bo (Pohang Steelers). In addition to these Taekuk Fighters, Lee Dong-kook (Pohang) and Koh Jong-soo (Suwon Samsung) will also play in that game.

More exciting than the game itself are many events planned to amuse the fans who will come to the game. During the half time, for example, a Cannon Shooting Contest and a relay by players, referees, coaching staff and supporters are planned. After the game, fans will enjoy a laser show and fireworks.

K League will also launch the “CU@Kleague” campaign in earnest from this All-star game, which was first initiated by the Red Devils during the World Cup. It plans to do a launching performance of that campaign.

This performance will use a large model soccer ball and feature, among other things, presentation of a film showing highlights from the All-star and K League regular games, and performance by Nanta. In the All-star game, all players and referees will wear uniforms with the CU@Kleague logo on. Even after the All-star game, all of them will continue to wear the same uniforms.

In the meanwhile, the pro league has raised various awards money in order to attract more prospective fans to the game. Thus, the All-star MVP will receive 10 million won (approximately $8,000) instead of 5 million. And Popularity Award and Cannon Shooter Award are allotted 5 million won each, a sharp increase in comparison with the previous 1 million won. Furthermore, the winner of the All-star relay game will get a 2 million won award, which is raised double from the past 1 million won.

Sung-Won Joo swon@donga.com