He said that the 7th National Conference of Sportspersons marked an important occasion in bringing about a turning phase in glorifying the undying exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il for the development of sports in the country and realizing the party's plan for building a sporting power and extended warm congratulations to the participants on the success of the conference.

The sportspersons who exalted the dignity and honor of the country with gold medals and left praiseworthy traces are sports heroes remembered by our party, the country and its people and genuine patriots, he said. After highly appreciating once again the feats of the participants of the conference, he had a photo session with them.

Saying that the building of the sporting power is a front to which the party attaches importance in the drive for building a thriving socialist nation and sportspersons are standard-bearers and shock brigade standing at the outpost for building the sporting power, he called on all sportspersons to fully prepare as ideologically, morally, physically and technically strong persons possessed of the spirit and mettle of Mt. Paektu and win victory after victory in every international game by applying Korean-style effective playing tactics.

He expressed expectation and belief that the participants would bring about a fresh turn in building the sporting power with the conference as a momentum and thus creditably live up to the expectation of the country and its people.

He was accompanied by senior officials of the party, state and army, members of the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission and chief secretaries of the provincial party committees.