Bid Committee secretary general Kim Yoon-suk has claimed Chungcheong would deliver "the best World University Games of all time" if it is selected to host it in 2027 ©CMBC

Secretary general of the Chungcheong Megacity Bid Committee Kim Yoon-suk has claimed that the South Korean region would stage "the best World University Games of all time" if it is granted hosting rights for 2027.

Chungcheong and North Carolina in the United States have been confirmed as bidders for the multi-sport event in five years' time by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

Kim, who held the same position for Gwangju’s successful campaign for the 2015 edition of FISU's flagship event, talked up Chungcheong's bid.

"Chungcheong will present the best World University Games of all time," Kim told The Korea Herald.

Gwangju 2015 was the second time South Korea held a Summer Universiade after Daegu 2003, while the US has not staged it since Buffalo 1993, although is due to host the Winter edition in Lake Placid next year.

Kim believes that the country's history of delivering university sport events gives it an advantage in the bidding race for 2027.

"It is true that the US has well-developed sports infrastructure and facilities for university sports," he recognised, as reported by The Korea Herald.

South Korea has twice previously staged the Summer edition of the FISU Games, and Kim Yoon-suk claimed it had made a
South Korea has twice previously staged the Summer edition of the FISU Games, and Kim Yoon-suk claimed it had made a "bigger" contribution to FISU than the United States ©Getty Images

"But, South Korea’s contribution to the International University Sports Federation is bigger than that of the US."

He insisted that Government support placed Chungcheong's bid on sound financial footing.

"Chungcheong’s Bid Committee has a big advantage as it is officially funded by both the Central and Local Governments, while North Carolina has to rely on private funds and sponsorships," he claimed to The Korea Herald.

The publication also reported that Chungcheong's Bid Committee is aiming to step up its efforts to renovate existing facilities in the cities of Daejeon and Sejong and the provinces of Chungbuk and Chungnam, limiting new construction projects with a view to offering FISU a sustainable proposal for the World University Games.

A total of 66 educational institutions in Chungcheong have pledged their support for the region's bid for the event.

The Bid Committee is expected to hold a series of meetings with FISU up until August to investigate technical matters and complete the bid dossier, followed by an on-site evaluation by FISU's Executive Committee in September.

A decision on hosting rights is due to be made at the FISU Executive Committee meeting in Yekaterinburg on October 9.