The National Inter-provincial Games-2024 in Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Sports Day opened in Pyongyang on October 13.
Among the preliminaries which started on the opening day, the best crowd-pullers were a men’s volleyball match between the South Hwanghae and North Hamgyong provincial teams and a tug-of-war between the South Hwanghae provincial and Rason city teams which both took place at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on the following day.
The volleyball players of the South Hwanghae and North Hamgyong provincial teams showed excellent playing scenes by dint of skills and diverse tactics on a par with those of professionals.
It was difficult to judge which team was superior because the two teams were contending for victory neck and neck by a margin of merely one or two points, but when the team of North Hamgyong Province was ahead of its rival 2-1, the spectators began to think the former would win.
But the team of South Hwanghae Province won the fourth round of the match to go to the fifth round, making even the spectators tense.
The team of South Hwanghae Province finally broke into cheers by winning the fifth round which proceeded in an atmosphere of uneasiness, anxiousness and tension.
The team’s players did not lose heart on unfavourable ground but remained highly calm and displayed a dogged fighting spirit.
The match was followed by a tug-of-war between the teams of South Hwanghae Province and Rason City which revved up the atmosphere of the stadium.
What was interesting was that the leaders of both teams skilfully used body language instead of signal flags to prevent each other from perceiving their own tactical guidance of their teams.
The role of the leaders is very important in a tug-of-war, a national sport in which two groups of equal numbers compete in a fixed time by pulling a rope against each other.
The whistle of the referee announced the start of the game, and the players of both teams waited for their leaders’ signals.
The team of Rason City first put forth all their strength, according to a signal of their leader who stamped one foot.
The leader of the South Hwanghae provincial team, who was watching the movement of the rival with his hands folded behind his back for a while, gave a signal for his players to get ready, shaking his flag calmly.
Then the leader of the Rason city team who was trying to employ a countermeasure tactic in time, his players and all the spectators sharply watched the flag of the leader of the other team.
But the latter suddenly took the action of heading a football with his head instead of using the flag.
Then, his players powerfully pulled the rope all at once without letup.
The team beat its rival 2-0 thanks to the role of its leader who skilfully applied body language throughout the game.
Many people recognized the ability of the South Hwanghae provincial team through the volleyball match and tug-of-war.
More From Pyongyang Times
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a letter on January 27 stressed that Russia will never forget the heinous crimes of Nazism
February 02, 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a letter on January 27 stressed that Russia will never forget the heinous crimes of Nazism
The unshakable will and outstanding leadership ability of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea hastening the
February 02, 2026
The unshakable will and outstanding leadership ability of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea hastening the
Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh and staff members of his embassy visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
February 02, 2026
Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh and staff members of his embassy visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations at a meeting of the UN Security Council on January 26 demanded Japan
February 02, 2026
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations at a meeting of the UN Security Council on January 26 demanded Japan
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Kim Il Sun, a woman living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 24, Ungsang-dong,
February 02, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Kim Il Sun, a woman living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 24, Ungsang-dong,
Modern farmhouses have appeared in Jonsung-ri of Phyonggang County and Kaechon-ri of Ichon County, Kangwon Province. Ceremonies of
February 02, 2026
Modern farmhouses have appeared in Jonsung-ri of Phyonggang County and Kaechon-ri of Ichon County, Kangwon Province. Ceremonies of
Modern dwelling houses have appeared at the Mandal Vegetable Farm in Sungho County and the Wahyon Farm in Phyongsan County of
February 02, 2026
Modern dwelling houses have appeared at the Mandal Vegetable Farm in Sungho County and the Wahyon Farm in Phyongsan County of
Thanks to the Workers' Party of Korea's grand plan and energetic leadership to turn Pyongyang into a world-class civilized city,
February 02, 2026
Thanks to the Workers' Party of Korea's grand plan and energetic leadership to turn Pyongyang into a world-class civilized city,
The Third People's Art Festival in Celebration of February 16 will be held in Pyongyang and other parts of the DPRK. The festival
February 02, 2026
The Third People's Art Festival in Celebration of February 16 will be held in Pyongyang and other parts of the DPRK. The festival
North Hwanghae Province renovated Sariwon Kye Ung Sang University of Agriculture. The university has a school building, e-library,
February 02, 2026
North Hwanghae Province renovated Sariwon Kye Ung Sang University of Agriculture. The university has a school building, e-library,
A tree nursery has been successfully built in Kaesong Municipality. The tree nursery, located in a place favourable for sapling
February 02, 2026
A tree nursery has been successfully built in Kaesong Municipality. The tree nursery, located in a place favourable for sapling
The third-year project for implementing the regional development policy in the new era is being conducted on a full scale
February 02, 2026
The third-year project for implementing the regional development policy in the new era is being conducted on a full scale
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Russian Security Council, referred to the issue of ensuring strategic security in an intervi
February 01, 2026
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Russian Security Council, referred to the issue of ensuring strategic security in an intervi
Members of the Iranian Parliament issued a statement on January 25 to strongly denounce the European Parliament for adopting an an
February 01, 2026
Members of the Iranian Parliament issued a statement on January 25 to strongly denounce the European Parliament for adopting an an
North Hwanghae Province finished the capacity expansion project of the Kyongam Cement Factory. The establishment of a
February 01, 2026
North Hwanghae Province finished the capacity expansion project of the Kyongam Cement Factory. The establishment of a
Residents in the Central Zoo in Pyongyang are on the increase. This year alone five species of gift animals produced more than ten
February 01, 2026
Residents in the Central Zoo in Pyongyang are on the increase. This year alone five species of gift animals produced more than ten
Graduating class students of senior middle schools in Kanggye City met with a war veteran. Students presented bouquets to war
January 31, 2026
Graduating class students of senior middle schools in Kanggye City met with a war veteran. Students presented bouquets to war
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, described European politicians as pitiable persons at a press conference o
January 31, 2026
Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, described European politicians as pitiable persons at a press conference o
A happy event of moving into new houses has taken place at rural villages in Sinchon and Pongchon counties of South Hwanghae
January 31, 2026
A happy event of moving into new houses has taken place at rural villages in Sinchon and Pongchon counties of South Hwanghae
On January 22, the US formally left the WHO. The US claimed that its decision to leave the WHO was a reflection of the
January 31, 2026
On January 22, the US formally left the WHO. The US claimed that its decision to leave the WHO was a reflection of the
More Articles