Competition Ratio 108:1... Kia Motors' 'Australia Open Ball Kids' Depart for Local Venue

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Kia Motors announced on the 9th that 20 Korean representatives selected as ball kids for the '2020 Australian Open Tennis Tournament,' one of the world's four major tennis tournaments, held a launch ceremony and then departed for Australia.

Ball kids are youths who assist in tennis matches by ensuring the smooth supply and handling of tennis balls and helping the players' match progress. As the official sponsor of the Australian Open, Kia Motors has been selecting 20 ball kids annually through domestic selection tournaments for 17 years and dispatching them to the Australian Open.

Since July, Kia Motors recruited applicants and conducted a two-stage evaluation for about 2,165 candidates, including English proficiency tests, practical skills, and physical fitness assessments. The 20 final Korean representatives selected as ball kids underwent ball kid training and practical exercises.

The Korean ball kids team, which departed for Australia on the 8th, will receive intensive training on tennis match operations and ball kid roles in Melbourne. Afterwards, they will participate in official activities supporting the operation of the Australian Open qualifying and main matches alongside about 360 overseas ball kids, as well as experience local cultures in Melbourne and Sydney during a total 19-day schedule.

Kim Dohyun (14 years old), selected as a Korean representative ball kid for this year's Kia Motors Australian Open, said, "I am very happy to participate as a ball kid in a world-class tournament, and I want to train hard on-site to show my best abilities as a ball kid."

A Kia Motors official said, "The Korean youths participating in the Kia Motors Australian Open ball kids program will have a special opportunity to broaden their horizons by taking part in a global event and feel pride in Kia Motors, a global company," adding, "We hope that the ball kids activities will provide young people with a chance to experience global culture and grow into future talents based on this experience."