Choi Tae-won, President of the Handball Association, Awards 100 Million Won in Encouragement to Men's National Team for Runner-up Finish at Asian Championship

Chairman Chey Tae-won [Photo by SK Group]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Choi Tae-won, chairman of SK Group and president of the Korea Handball Federation, will award a special encouragement fund of 100 million KRW to the men's handball national team, which finished as runner-up at the 19th Asian Men's Handball Championship.

On the 30th, the Korea Handball Federation stated, "Despite his busy schedule attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Chairman Choi sent a congratulatory message to encourage the achievements of the men's handball national team and praised the efforts of the players," adding, "Following the chairman's wishes, a special encouragement fund of 100 million KRW will be given to the head coach, coaches, and all support staff of the team."

Led by head coach Kang Il-gu, the men's handball national team finished as runner-up at the 19th Asian Championship held in Kuwait on the 28th. In the semifinals against Japan, the team dramatically overturned a 7-goal deficit to win after an extended overtime battle. This marks the first time in eight years since winning the championship in 2012 that the Korean men's handball team has reached the final of the Asian Championship.

Chairman Choi said, "I am grateful that the young players, united with determination despite difficult conditions, gave their best until the end and achieved the valuable result of advancing to consecutive finals following the Tokyo Olympics Asian qualifiers," emphasizing, "The dramatic comeback victory against Japan was a meaningful Lunar New Year gift to the nation." He also urged, "Building on these successive valuable achievements, please strive to restore the former glory of the men's national team and bring happiness to the people through handball."

Since assuming the presidency of the Handball Federation at the end of 2008, Chairman Choi has supported the development of handball in Korea by establishing a dedicated handball stadium in 2011, founding the women's professional team SK Sugar Gliders in 2012, launching the men's professional team SK Hawks in 2016, and setting up the Handball Development Foundation and Handball Academy.