Sogang Hosts Sophia as a Sports Competitor

Sogang University of Korea hosted the first International Sports competition with Sophia University of Japan from the 12th to 14th of November at the main campus of Sogang in Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea. SOFEX, a short word for Sogang-Sophia Festival of Exchange, includes matching games of soccer, tennis, baseball and basketball plus cheerleading performances from the performers of both schools. Sogang University has been in partnership with Sophia University since 1983, and both were established in the 20th century by the Jesuits. In addition, 2010 is meaningful for Sogang as they have just celebrated their 50th anniversary since its foundation as the one and only Jesuit College in South Korea. In this regard, Sogang planned this event as commemoration, and to leap globally, with another sister school among Jesuit Colleges abroad.

On the first day of SOFEX, 130 participants from Sophia flied to Korea and attended the Orientation Meeting and Welcome Dinner at Sogang campus. Dr. Jongwook Lee, President of Sogang University said “We warmly welcome Sophia. As the proverb said, ‘If you're willing to lay down you would die, if you're willing to walk, you would survive.` I wish this festival motivates both students to do sports and be active, so we can achieve the integrated education as the Jesuits pursue.” In addition, Mr. Toshiaki Koso, a Chairman of Sophia University responsed “We have two critical meetings here in Seoul, one is G20 and another is SOFEX, where we are. I hope SOFEX would be the meeting of future leaders of both countries beyond the school.” On Nov. 12, starting with opening ceremony at Cheongnyeon plaza (literally means “Young People” in Korean), exciting sports games are held. Eventually, Sophia won 3 games: Soccer, Tennis and Baseball while Sogang won Basketball. Overall, Sophia got the Golden trophy and was awarded during the closing ceremony. On the last day, Sophia students visited the Royal Palace and Seoul Tower where they were immersed in Korean culture. The next SOFEX is supposed to be held at the Campus of Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.