Canadian Embassy celebrates founding day with hockey tournament in Seoul

Participants of the 2024 Canada Day Street Hockey Tournament take a picture together on July 1 2024 in Jung-gu Seoul AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Participants pose for a group photo after a hockey tournament in Seoul on July 1, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

SEOUL, July 2 (AJU PRESS) - The Embassy of Canada to Korea held a street hockey tournament in central Seoul on Monday. Held in a garden near the embassy, the friendly tournament was part of celebrations for the 157th anniversary of the country's founding, also called Canada Day.

The tournament came after last week's port call of His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montréal in Korea's western port city of Incheon. The frigate's crew members joined in Monday's tournament.

"We came to Korea with around 250 sailors as part of the annual deployment of Canadian Navy vessels under Operation Horizon in the Indo-Pacific region. We really enjoyed the tournament and had a great time interacting with participants," said Commander Travis Bain, Commanding Officer of HMCS Montreal, wishing a "happy Canda Day" to Canadians here in Korea.

Ambassador Tamara Mawhinney Ambassador of Canada to South Korea drops the puck at the beginning of the final match between Canada Ball Hockey Team 1 and the Incheon Naval Sector Defense Command team — Canadian Ambassador to Korea Tamara Mawhinney (center) drops the ceremonial first puck at a hockey match in Seoul on July 1, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Canadian defense attachés stationed in Korea and officials from the United Nations Command also participated in the tournament.

"It is very meaningful to celebrate this special day with a hockey tournament, one of the joyful sports beloved by many Canadians," said Canadian Ambassador Tamara Mawhinney. "This year marks 61 years of diplomatic relations this year, and we want to focus on bilateral exchanges."

She stressed the importance of cultural exchanges as one of her "key initiatives to further strengthen the relations between Korea and Canada."

She added that there will be various upcoming exhibitions and festivals which feature Canadian literary works, films, indigenous arts, and performances.