DILI, 03 february 2026 (TATOLI) – Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, and the President of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Chang Won Sam, on tuesday, inaugurated the Korea–Timor-Leste Friendship Sports Centre in Becora, Dili.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister for Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Nelyo Isaac Sarmento, along with government officials and representatives from South Korea.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Gusmão thanked the people of South Korea for their continued solidarity and support through KOICA, saying the partnership between the two countries has made a significant contribution to Timor-Leste’s development.
“Children are the future of Timor-Leste. Sport is not only competition or physical exercise, but a way to shape their character and prepare them to become exemplary citizens,” the Prime Minister said, after unveiling the commemorative plaque.
He added that the government intends to promote sport as a tool to strengthen education and social development among young people.
KOICA President Chang Won Sam expressed gratitude for the warm reception and praised the joint effort behind the project.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the implementation of this project. This visit to Timor-Leste has been personally meaningful. I was impressed by the vitality and energy of the Timorese people, which shows the nation has a promising future,” he said.
Chang said that KOICA has been working with Timor-Leste since 2010 on sustainable development initiatives in health, early childhood education, vocational training, agriculture, climate change and food security. The newly opened centre forms part of the Child Development through Sport Project.
He also highlighted the country’s youthful demographic profile, with around half of the population under the age of 24, saying investment in child and youth development is crucial to Timor-Leste’s long-term economic and social future.
The sports centre includes a football pitch, multi-purpose courts and facilities capable of accommodating around 1,000 children at the same time.
The center is expected to serve as a model for future community and sports development projects across the country.
Minister Sarmento said the government would continue to implement child-focused sports programmes based on the project’s established framework, ensuring sustainable cooperation between Timor-Leste and South Korea.
The project began in 2022 and was financed by KOICA with an investment of approximately US$7 million.
TATOLI
