Meeting with reporters at Gwangju City Sports Council
"The Sports Council must change... Sports must be managed"
"System improvement through Olympic bid"
Kang Tae-seon, president of the Seoul Sports Council and chairman of Black Yak (75), who has declared his candidacy for the 42nd president of the Korea Sports Council, met with reporters at the Gwangju Sports Council on the 10th and stated, "The Sports Council must change," adding, "I will serve only a four-year term and fulfill my pledges."
Kang Tae-seon, chairman of BYN Black Yak and president of the Seoul Sports Council, is waiting to start the press conference for his declaration of candidacy for the 42nd president of the Korea Sports Council at the Koreana Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 11th of last month. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
On that day, Chairman Kang said, "The term of the Korea Sports Council president is different from the terms of city/provincial or sports federation heads, and if it lasts too long, it becomes rotten," adding, "Except for the current president Lee Ki-heung and former president Kim Un-yong, all previous presidents served only four years."
Regarding conflicts between the government and the Sports Council, he said, "The Sports Council should build trust with the government and manage the 17 sports federations fairly and objectively, but problems arise because the Sports Council tries to get ahead of the government," promising, "I will find a way for sportspeople to operate associations independently within the legal framework."
On measures to revitalize unpopular sports, he suggested, "Companies grow through consumers, entertainers through fans, and sports through spectators, but currently, sports federations only hold competitions," proposing, "Competitions and festivals should be held together."
Chairman Kang explained, "I have been climbing mountains for 60 years and introduced sports climbing to Korea, and by improving the management method, paid spectators are now flocking to events in Seoul," adding, "Now sports must be managed."
He emphasized the need to host the 2036 Seoul Olympics for the future of Korean sports as well as for unpopular sports. "If we host the Olympics, we can improve outdated facilities, coach salaries, and athlete training systems," he said, adding, "Based on my experience traveling the world, I will definitely host the Summer Olympics."
In the election for the president of the Korea Sports Council, current president Lee Ki-heung, who is under suspension and seeking a third term, faces candidates including Kang Shin-wook, honorary professor at Dankook University; Yoo Seung-min, former president of the Korea Table Tennis Association; Kang Tae-seon, president of the Seoul Sports Council; Park Chang-beom, former president of the Korea Wushu Association; Ahn Sang-soo, former mayor of Incheon; Kim Yong-ju, former secretary general of the Gangwon Sports Council; and Oh Joo-young, former president of the Korea Sepak Takraw Association.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
