Ahn Se-young (22, Samsung Life Insurance), the national badminton player, will now be able to participate in international competitions wearing the shoes of her choice. This is because the Badminton Association allowed Ahn Se-young to wear shoes that were not from the official sponsor, with the caveat that it was temporary, limited, and exceptional.
The Korea Badminton Association issued a press release on the 14th and said, “We have decided to allow temporary, limited, and exceptional autonomy for Ahn Se-young’s competition starting from the Denmark Open, which starts on the 15th, until negotiations on contract changes are completed.”
Previously, Ahn Se-young criticized the absurdity of the badminton world in detail right after winning the gold medal in the badminton women’s singles at the Paris Olympics last August. especially
Se-young Ahn complained about being restricted from using personal sponsor products other than those from Yonex, the association’s official sponsor.
Ahead of Ahn Se-young’s appearance at the Denmark Open this week, the Badminton Association has finally decided to allow exceptional autonomy.
The Badminton Association said, “This decision took into consideration the improvement of Ahn Se-young’s performance and the development of Korean sports as the top priority,” and “At the same time, public opinion expressed after the Paris Olympics, various opinions expressed during the National Assembly hearing, and various sports officials and player Ahn Se-young’s “This is a measure that comprehensively takes into account opinions, etc.,” he explained.
He added, “The Badminton Association, Yonex of Japan, and Yonex Korea have been sufficiently collecting these opinions with an open attitude and have been thinking about how they can improve and communicate for the development of Korean sports through continuous discussion and consultation.”
It was also hinted that the national team’s operating system related to sponsorship supplies may change in the future.
The Badminton Association said, “The national team sponsorship contract must be respected. However, there is room for partial, limited, and temporary modification depending on changes in circumstances.” “We are doing our best to develop customized competition shoes that will satisfy Ahn Se-young, and at the same time, the association and Yonex are conducting careful discussions on issues raised after the Olympics, including the selection of equipment for other national team players.” He said.
He emphasized, “The association will do its best to find an appropriate balance between improving players’ performance, protecting their rights and interests, and developing Korean sports and business.”
Lastly, the Association said, “The Association and Yonex will do their best from their respective standpoints, and sometimes together, to develop Korean badminton and improve the performance of the national team players. And we will humbly accept the concerns and advice of the public with an open attitude. “I will find ways to improve,” he said.
Reporter Lee Hae-june [email protected]
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