Pyongyang, September 19 (KCNA) -- The Amnokgang Sports Team that has performed distinguished feats in the sports field of the DPRK marks its founding anniversary.

President Kim Il Sung, who put forward the development of sports as an important affair in building a new Korea, took a measure to organize the Interior Bureau Sports Team, the first professional sports organization in the country, on September 19, 1947 with the sportspersons who took part in the First World Festival of Youth and Students as pivots.

The team, which was founded with 30-odd players and coaches, has developed into a prestigious sportspersons' group loved by the people, adding luster to the honor of the country with gold medals under the energetic guidance and care of the peerlessly great persons.

It is an honor and pride of the team that it has produced many meritorious sportspersons including DPRK Hero, Labor Hero and People's Athlete.

Jong Song Ok came first in the women's marathon of the 7th World Track-and Field-Championships, Sin Kum Dan set new world records 11 times in international women's track and field events, and Ri Song Hui and Pak Yong Ok were known as a "woman of great strength" and the star of table tennis at world women's weightlifting and table tennis championships.

The team produced Olympic gold medalists including Ku Yong Jo (men's boxing in 1976), Kim Il (men's freestyle wrestling in 1992 and 1996), Ri Hak Son (men's freestyle wrestling in 1992), Pak Hyon Suk (women's weightlifting in 2008) and Om Yun Chol (men's weightlifting in 2012).

The players and coaches of the team are devoting their wisdom and passion to training with the single mind to contribute to the country's sports development with better successes in games. -0-