[국제]Korean businessman donates 41.8 billion won to U.S. women’s soccer… “Highest amount ever”

Michelle Kang (65), a Korean-American businesswoman who runs prestigious women’s soccer teams in the U.S. and Europe, donated a large sum of $30 million, or about 41.8 billion won, asking for it to be used for the development of U.S. women’s soccer.

On the 20th (Korean time), the United States Soccer Association announced, “President Michelle Kang has pledged to donate $30 million over the next five years for the association’s women’s and youth programs.”

This is the largest donation ever to the U.S. Soccer Federation’s women’s and youth programs and the largest donation by a woman to the U.S. Soccer Federation.

“Michelle Kang’s gift will transform women’s and youth soccer in the United States,” said U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Fallon. “It will impact generations of women and youth in our soccer community, including players, coaches and referees.” I said thank you.

The United States Soccer Association plans to use President Kang’s donation to expand competitive opportunities for youth athletes, discover and develop talented players, and promote the professional development of female players, coaches, and referees.

Yonhap News

“Women’s sport has been underestimated and overlooked for too long,” said Chairman Kang. “I want to raise the standard of women’s football on and off the pitch by providing female players with the support they need to reach their full potential and the professional support they deserve.” “I’m going to focus on lifting it up,” he said.

Chairman Kang is the daughter of former lawmaker Lee Yoon-ja, who contributed to the advancement of women’s rights as a member of the 11th and 13th National Assembly. After studying at Sogang University, he went to the United States to study in 1981 and served as vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Infotech, a global defense company. In 2008, he founded Cognosant, a public sector healthcare consulting company, in Falls Church, Virginia. .

Chairman Kang, who entered the women’s soccer world starting with the acquisition of the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in February 2022, became the owner of the England Women’s Championship (Second Division) London City Lioness at the end of last year. In February of this year, he secured a majority stake in the prestigious Olympique Lyon Feminine, which won the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) eight times, and took full control.

In addition, in July of this year, the world’s first multi-team global organization ‘Kiniska Sports International’ was established, focusing on the professionalization of women’s soccer. The United States Soccer Federation introduced Chairman Kang as “a pioneering business leader and investor dedicated to advancing women’s sports around the world.”

Digital News Team Reporter Yuna Lee

YTN Yuna Lee (lyn@ytn.co.kr)

[저작권자(c) YTN 무단전재, 재배포 및 AI 데이터 활용 금지]

As a professional website editor for world-today-news.com,‌ I have the pleasure of conducting‌ an interview with​ two esteemed guests today, Michelle Kang and Cindy Fallon. Our discussion will focus on Michelle Kang’s ‍recent $30 million donation to the U.S. Women’s Soccer program and the future of women’s soccer.

Guest 1: Michelle ⁣Kang, chairwoman of the United ⁣States Soccer Federation and owner of multiple prestigious women’s soccer⁤ teams around the‌ world.

Guest 2: Cindy Fallon, president of the United States Soccer Federation.

Interviewer: Thank you both for joining us today. Could you start by telling ‌us more⁤ about your⁢ backgrounds and how you became involved ⁤with women’s soccer?

Guest 1: Of course.⁤ As ⁢you mentioned⁤ in the​ article, I’m a Korean-American businesswoman who has spent much of my career in the tech industry. I’m ⁢passionate about women’s rights and⁣ sports equality, and when I saw an opportunity to make a difference in women’s soccer, I jumped at‌ the chance. My journey began a few years ago with the acquisition of a team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)⁤ and has since expanded to include teams in Europe and around the world.

Guest 2: Cindy, as the president of the U.S. Soccer‍ Federation, I’ve had the‌ honor⁣ of working with Michelle to promote and support women’s soccer in the country. I ⁤too have a background in sports, having played⁣ professionally​ before transitioning to a career in sports management. Women’s soccer has always been close to my‌ heart, and I’m excited to see the growth and development it continues to experience.

Interviewer: Your donation of $30 million⁤ to the U.S. Soccer Federation’s women’s and youth programs is truly remarkable. Can you talk about what inspired you to make such‍ a ‍significant contribution?

Guest 1: As a woman in a traditionally ⁣male-dominated industry, I ⁣understand the challenges that women face when pursuing their dreams. Women’s soccer is no exception. I believe that ​by investing in their development, we can not only improve the sport, but also inspire‌ young girls ​and women to