Gwangju-Based Women's Pro Volleyball Team 'AI Peppers' Launched... First Home Game on October 19

Expectations for Expanding Volleyball Base and Strengthening the Status as a Sports City in the Region

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The women's professional volleyball team 'AI Peppers,' based in Gwangju Metropolitan City, has officially launched.

At the inauguration ceremony, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop, team owner CEO Jang Matthew, National Assembly member Lee Byung-hoon, Korea Volleyball Federation Secretary General Shin Moo-chul, Gwangju City Council Chairman Kim Yong-jip, and Gwangju Volleyball Association President Jeon Gap-soo participated to celebrate AI Peppers' first steps.

The ceremony proceeded with the founding ceremony, unveiling of home, away, and libero uniforms to be worn in the 2021-2022 regular season, and a press conference with the coach and players.

AI Peppers' home games will be held at Yeomju Sports Complex starting October 19, and the 2021-2022 professional volleyball regular league will continue until March 2022.

In this regard, Gwangju City plans to expand the facilities of Yeomju Sports Complex, the home stadium of AI Peppers, by early October.

Gwangju City has been making steady efforts to attract a women's professional volleyball team.

Mayor Lee, upon hearing in March this year that Pepper Savings Bank had submitted a letter of intent to the Korea Volleyball Federation, met with CEO Jang Matthew to explain the validity of Gwangju as the team's base and formed an attraction promotion team to begin recruitment activities.

Through this, on May 13, a local base attraction agreement was signed between Gwangju City and the AI Peppers volleyball team, and CEO Jang Matthew also donated funds to support the development of local volleyball talent.

The founding of AI Peppers is expected to expand the volleyball base in the region, create conditions for citizens to enjoy professional sports in winter, and strengthen the status of Gwangju as a sports city.

The birth of a Gwangju-based volleyball team is also welcome news for the Korean volleyball community. Since the existing 13 men's and women's professional volleyball teams are concentrated in the metropolitan area, there has been a strong call for expanding local bases for the development of Korean volleyball.

In the volleyball community, with increased national interest in women's volleyball due to recent good results at the Olympics, the establishment of a Honam region team is seen as a catalyst to broaden the scope of volleyball by expanding the pool of professional players and fans.

AI Peppers, as the seventh women's professional volleyball team founded in 10 years and the only volleyball team in the Honam region, has gained a favorable position to secure home fans in Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk.

Mayor Lee said, "I hope AI Peppers will breathe with the citizens of Gwangju and create a new history that marks a milestone in Korean volleyball," adding, "Thanks to professional volleyball, following professional baseball and soccer, our citizens can enjoy sports all year round and cheer for their favorite teams freely."

He added, "We will actively support the players to fully demonstrate their skills in the upcoming professional volleyball league."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.