Showing An Se-young's blister photo... Badminton Association President: "I will change the sponsor regulations"

Chairman Kim Taek-gyu Attends National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Inquiry
Promises to Revise Sponsor-Related Regulations Amid Strong Criticism

Kim Taek-gyu, president of the Korea Badminton Association, who appeared as a witness in the National Assembly, announced that he would revise the regulation that forces national team players to use sponsor-provided equipment.

On the 24th, President Kim appeared as a witness at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's current issues inquiry and said, "(The regulation) is not something that changes just because I personally want to change it," but he promised, "I will change it."

Earlier, An Se-young, the gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, had complained about the discomfort of the sponsor's shoes during training. At the meeting that day, Min Hyung-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, also revealed a photo of blisters on An Se-young's soles.
[Photo by Min Hyung-bae]

The current regulation of the Badminton Association states that "when training and participating in competitions as a national representative, players must use the uniforms and equipment designated by the association." Among Olympic and Asian Games sports, badminton and boxing are the only ones that force the use of sponsor-provided equipment, including items directly related to performance such as rackets and shoes.

Kim Taek-gyu, President of the Badminton Korea Association, is responding to questions from lawmakers at the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Assemblyman Min Hyung-bae asked, "Player An Se-young herself says that (the inflammation on her soles) is because of the shoes," and questioned President Kim, "Other countries have exception clauses, so why doesn't the association have any?" Kim cited contracts with sponsors and the resulting regulations as reasons. In response, Assemblyman Min said, "Is that something the association president should say? Then why are you the president? Isn't it your job to solve such issues?" He criticized, "A national team player is complaining about discomfort because the shoes don't fit, so shouldn't you be thinking about resolving that?" Faced with strong criticism, President Kim eventually promised, "I will change (the regulation)." Kim Hak-gyun, the head coach of the badminton national team who appeared at the National Assembly with President Kim, said about the shoe issue, "It often comes up during training or competitions," and added, "Because of sponsor relationships, it is not something I can get involved in."

Earlier, An Se-young, the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist, had complained about discomfort caused by sponsor shoes during training. At the meeting, Assemblyman Min Hyung-bae of the Democratic Party of Korea also revealed photos of blisters on An Se-young's soles. Assemblyman Min said, "This was a phenomenon that appeared when wearing (sponsor) brand shoes. I cannot understand the pathetic behavior of the adults who said they had no choice because of the regulations," and called for President Kim's resignation.