Young-joong Kang and Soo-hyun Bang: partners operating in the world stage

[Dong-A Ilbo May 26, 2005]

Young-joong Kang and Soo-hyun Bang: partners operating in the world stage

Young-joong Kang, president of the International Badminton Federation (IBF), and IBF director Soo-hyun Bang pledged to exert “more efforts to globalize badminton.”

The 18th IBF president, who was elected during the general IBF meeting held on May 8 in Beijing, China, regards Soo-hyun Bang(33), the “Angel of Shuttlecock,” highly.

During a party held at Seoul Hyatt Hotel on May 25 to celebrate his inauguration as IBF President, President Kang suddenly called Soo-hyun Bang to the platform and presented her with a bouquet. “Let’s also congratulate Soo-hyun Bang, the youngest director ever elected at IBF,” said President Kang.

The two have known each other since 1997. After the team sponsored by O’Leary Cosmetics was disbanded in 1997, Soo-hyun Bang, who won a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, was drafted by Daekyo, the team managed by President Kang. Today, they lead the world badminton as IBF directors.

“I want to devise various badminton development programs, revise the difficult regulations, provide support to South America and Africa where badminton is still underdeveloped, and enhance the understanding of 135 member countries,” said President Kang, the first Korean to head IBF. He disclosed that Director Bang would primarily be involved in badminton-related affairs in the USA.
Soo-hyun Bang now has to play 3 roles: a housewife with a 5-year old son, a US Junior team coach, and an IBF director elected for the first time from among the Olympics medallists. “I am grateful to all of you for providing me with such wonderful opportunity,” said Bang. Although she lacks experience and feels inadequate, she vows to do her best to popularize badminton.