The Korea Badminton Association, which has had a turbulent time this year, is preparing to hold the 32nd president election next month. While several people came forward to save the association in crisis, the current president of the association, Kim Taek-gyu, who was the target of criticism after being accused of abuse of power and embezzlement, also issued a challenge. The fateful election battle is in full swing as the Badminton Association has appointed members of the Presidential Election Steering Committee, including Gim Gong, director of the Korean Gymnastics Association.
This election for the president of the association is a four-way race. First of all, current president Kim Taek-gyu, gold medalist and Wonkwang University professor Kim Dong-moon, Korea Business Badminton Federation president Jeon Gyeong-hoon, and former Daegu Badminton Association president Choi Seung-tak are aiming to become the next president of the association.
From the left, Wonkwang University professor Kim Dong-moon, Korea Business Badminton Federation president Jeon Gyeong-hoon, and former Daegu Badminton Association president Choi Seung-tak. Provided by myself
This year, the Badminton Association suffered internal trouble despite its good performance at the Paris Olympics. The situation grew out of control after ‘Empress’ Ahn Se-young won a gold medal in the women’s singles and made resolute remarks about poor management of the athletes and problems with the national team management. The association, which was investigated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was also revealed to have been laxly managed.
In particular, Chairman Kim Taek-gyu was suspected of embezzlement and violation of the subsidy law by arbitrarily distributing sponsorship items such as shuttlecocks received from sponsors without recording them in the ledger. Chairman Kim Taek-gyu, who was accused, is currently under police investigation. Nevertheless, he ran for election as the next president. Although the Badminton Association has been in the spotlight, it is reported that there are still some badminton figures who support President Kim Taek-gyu.
Kim Taek-gyu, current president of the Korea Badminton Association. News 1
Some people have stepped forward to settle the noisy badminton world. Professor Kim Dong-moon strongly criticized Chairman Kim Taek-gyu, executives, and the executive branch, saying, “The problems originated from wrong practices and a system that does not fit the trend of the times.” Jeon Kyeong-hoon, president of the Business Badminton Federation, said, “Seeing that Ahn Se-young is pointing out the problems of the association, I am declaring my candidacy as the 32nd president with the determination to run the association transparently.” He added, “I will donate a total of 2.4 billion won to the association during my four-year term. He expressed his ambition by saying, “We will create an association that promotes mutual growth by supporting professional and recreational sports with 600 million won every year.”
Choi Seung-tak, former president of the Daegu Badminton Association, said, “I listened directly to the voices of badminton people and personally felt what was right and what was not. The fruits of the sweat of players and coaches should not be in vain due to a system that cannot break away from the old practices and framework of the past and a cartel of vested interests. “We will take the lead in raising the status of Korean badminton through change and innovation,” he said.
Kim Gong, Director of the Korean Gymnastics Association (Member of the Badminton Association Presidential Election Steering Committee)
The election for the next president of the association will be held on the 16th of next month. On the 17th, the Badminton Association began the process of appointing members of the Presidential Election Steering Committee to prepare for the election, including Kim Gong, director of the Korean Gymnastics Association.
Reporter Jang Han-seo [email protected]
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