sports

The Sports Club of the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport proved successful at the recent 2026 Kalmaegi (seagull) Cup canoeing competition.

Its players won more than 60 medals including 24 golds in the competition to draw the attention of experts.

The club, which specializes in such maritime and underwater sports as rowing, canoeing and synchronized swimming, took the first place in all categories of the 2026 youth synchronized swimming championships held earlier and won 20 golds at the 2026 Kalmaegi Cup rowing competition.

Players of the club ascribe the success partly to the wonderfully improved training conditions and living environment.

In November last year, a general training hall and hostel for sportspersons of the Sports Club of the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport were newly built on the banks of the picturesque Taedong River.

According to Ri Ha Rim, head of the club, the total floor space of the newly-built building is more than twice that of the previous one.

The hall has an indoor general training ground and swimming pool. In the training ground, players can do physical training and conduct different sports activities such as basketball, volleyball and badminton.

At the swimming pool, training for swimming, synchronized swimming, diving and simulation of rowing can be conducted at the same time.

The hostel is fully provided with conditions for boarding and cultural and leisure activities of players and coaches including a dining hall, bedrooms, a sci-tech learning space, an online lecture room and a library.

“All of us are satisfied with the improved training conditions and living environment. So we redoubled efforts to win the games. This has led to the result of today, I think,” said Hong Mi, a player of the club.