Young-joong Kang elected IBF President

[May 20, Sports Seoul,]

Young-joong Kang elected IBF President

“I will do my best to popularize badminton as a sport loved by people all over the world as well as globalize the Korean sports.”

After conquering the educational business at a relatively young age, Young-joong Kang (Daekyo Group chairman) is redefining sports world history. His love affair with the shuttlecock began when he organized the Noonnoppi Women’s Badminton Team in 1997. He was elected president of the Korea Badminton Association and then as president of the Asia Badminton Confederation. Recently, he was named the 18th chairman of the International Badminton Federation (IBF) during the regular IBF meeting held last May 8 in Beijing, China. After 71 years of domination by England, Sweden, Denmark, and other European countries, a Korean is at the helm of international badminton for the first time.

This is the 4th time a Korean assumes the chairmanship in international sports organizations after Yong-song Park, president of the International Judo Federation, Jung-won Cho, president of the World Taekwondo Federation, and Sang-ha Park, president of the International Softball Tennis Federation (ISTF). This is really a momentous event, which further enhanced Korea’s status in the international sports world.
Chairman Kang returned to Korea on May 16 after attending the recently concluded 2005 world badminton doubles championships last May 15 in Beijing. The reporter met Chairman Kang who, together with shuttlecock queen Soo-hyun Bang(33) who was appointed as the youngest IBF director, received inaugural greetings.

-Belated congratulations for becoming IBF president.–

“Thank you. I feel happy and a little overwhelmed at the same time by the great responsibility that comes with the position. As IBF president, I have four years to globalize badminton. There were only 34 countries that participated in badminton during the 2004 Athens Olympics, considered the festival of global people. I will do my best to increase the number of participants to at least 50 in time for the Beijing Olympics.

- How do you plan to globalize badminton during your four-year term? –

Badminton is very popular in Europe and Asia but not so much in other continents. First of all, I plan to build training centers in the US, Africa, and South America where badminton is little known and offer instructor training programs. I also want to revise the difficult and complicated rules. Perhaps it would be a good idea to introduce the rally point scoring system to make the sport more dynamic, like what has been done for volleyball.

- You are fast expanding your influence in both the corporate and international sports world. What actually made you decide to vie for IBF’s top position? –

I usually just go right ahead and do what I have set out to do. I feel that I have limited influence in the international front as president of the Asia Badminton Confederation. I believe I would be able to raise the Korean sports to the world level as IBF president. Still, I would not have gotten to where I am today had it not been for the support and encouragement of many people.

- I heard that you are very good at badminton. When did you start playing the sport? -

I first started playing badminton when I was in high school. I like it because it is easy to learn, and victory or defeat is decided at the court. Lately, I have been playing badminton every morning with my mother who had been widowed early so that she can stay healthy. Whenever I see my mother in good health, I am more and more convinced that badminton is the dutiful son, not me.

- You seem keenly interested in sports marketing, having organized the Noonnoppi Women’s Badminton Team and the Daekyo Kangaroos Women's Soccer team. –

It is only natural to return business profits to society. Sports and cultural activities help us do just that. While the badminton team and soccer team contribute greatly to the PR efforts of our firm, they also help recognize those who have rendered meritorious services.

- What are the challenges facing Korean badminton? –

Badminton is a popular sport that is currently played by some 4 million aficionados. It is also the one event that gave Korea gold medals during the Olympics. In truth, however, we still do not have a private gymnasium. I would like to solicit the participation of the government in solving this problem.

- Do you have any message to all sports fans? –

Badminton is a sport that can be enjoyed by all classes of people.
I guarantee that you will get as much enjoyment from it as any other sport. Next year, Korea will be hosting the IBF World Junior Championships. I hope everybody will come see the event so that it will not be a festival for badminton lovers only.