“We will lead the revival without giving up the ‘string of hope’ amidst the crisis of dissolution of Maewon Middle School and Taejangg High School.” Forming a consensus not only with association executives, but also with related organizations and the local community.
Suwon City Hockey Association President Kwon Hyuk-woo, who is expressing his efforts and determination for the development of hockey in Suwon Special City. Reporter Hong Ki-woong
“Things are difficult, but we will make a fresh start to restore the reputation of Suwon hockey. “We want to work with the local community to solve problems step by step and make more efforts for development.”
After taking office as the 2nd president of the Suwon Special City Hockey Association in March 2021, Chairman Kwon Hyuk-woo (51, Konyu Co., Ltd.), who prioritized his own business as the local women’s middle and high school team faced the risk of disbandment due to a shortage of players. Representative) expressed his firm determination to bring about the revival of the Maewon Middle School and Taejango teams.
Chairman Kwon said, “At the recommendation of my high school senior, I took on the position of president of the Hockey Association because I thought it was right for me to serve the community as a businessman.” As a result, young athletes first experienced the pain of training without a leader. “We really put a lot of effort and time into normalizing the two teams,” he said.
Chairman Kwon continued, “I asked for help from the school principal, city/provincial office of education officials, the Sports Association, Suwon City, city council members, provincial council members, National Assembly members, and the Korea Hockey Association, but it was not resolved.” In the aftermath, both teams are virtually disbanded. But we cannot give up,” he said.
In this situation, Chairman Kwon, who watched Taejang High School win the National Championships and National Sports Festival last year by showing fighting spirit with only 11 players and no reserve players, said, “I actually feel comforted by the players who overcame adversity and achieved a sense of accomplishment.” “I was grateful and very sorry to receive it,” he said.
Kwon Hyuk-woo, president of Suwon Special City Hockey Association. Reporter Hong Ki-woong
Chairman Kwon also said, “We started out with less than 10 executives, but the number has now grown to 35. “Many people share the same view and are helping,” he said. “While the association itself has worked hard to revive Suwon hockey, now we are trying to build consensus and work together with the local community.”
He said he would make more efforts to revive middle and high school hockey teams that were on the verge of extinction by creating a ‘public forum’ with related organizations such as education, sports, and local governments. In addition, he emphasized that once the team is revived, he plans to provide all necessary supplies and budget support for training and competition participation.
Chairman Kwon said, “Furthermore, we will strive to make hockey a part of daily life by distributing floorball, which is very popular among students.” He added, “Hockey is an unpopular sport, but it is Korea’s traditional sport and a dynamic and exciting sport. “I will do my best to help Suwon once again become the mecca of women’s hockey,” he said.
Lastly, Chairman Kwon said, “Even if there is only one player, we will become an association that exists for them. “I want to contribute to the revival of hockey in Suwon City and the development of Suwon sports through endless volunteer work for sports and the local community,” he said, expressing his motivation.
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What specific initiatives or programs is Mr. Kwon implementing to attract new young athletes to hockey in Suwon, considering the sport’s current unpopularity amongst youth?
## Reviving Suwon Hockey: An Interview with Kwon Hyuk-Woo
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. We’re here today with Kwon Hyuk-Woo, President of the Suwon Special City Hockey Association, who is passionately working to revive the city’s hockey program after facing significant challenges.
**Section 1: The Crisis & Commitment**
* **Guest:** Mr. Kwon, the article paints a difficult picture for Suwon’s hockey teams. Could you elaborate on the specific challenges faced by Maewon Middle School and Taejang High School teams and what prompted this crisis?
* **Follow up:** This situation must have been disheartening. What drove you to take on this challenge and dedicate your time and efforts to reviving Suwon hockey, despite the adversity?
**Section 2: Seeking Solutions & Collaboration**
* **Guest:** The article mentions seeking support from various stakeholders. What strategies have you employed to build consensus and gain support from city officials, educational institutions, and the local community for the revival of these teams?
* **Follow up:**
What are some of the key obstacles you’ve encountered in gathering support, and how are you working to overcome them?
* **Guest 2 (Invited expert on youth sports development or local government representative):** From your perspective, what role does community involvement play in the success of youth sports programs, and what specific actions can be taken to foster greater support for hockey in Suwon?
**Section 3: Building the Future of Suwon Hockey**
* **Guest:** The article highlights your plan to create a ‘public forum’ for stakeholders. What are your hopes for this forum and what tangible outcomes do you envision achieving through this collaborative approach?
* **Follow up:** Beyond reviving existing teams, what long-term strategies are you developing to ensure the sustainability and growth of hockey in Suwon, potentially attracting new athletes and expanding participation?
* **Guest 2:** What initiatives can be taken to make hockey more accessible and appealing to young people in Suwon, particularly in light of its current unpopularity?
**Section 4: The Power of Sports & Perseverance**
* **Guest:** Inspired by Talesan High School’s perseverence despite adversity, what message do you want to convey to aspiring young hockey players in Suwon who might be facing their own challenges?
* **Follow up:** What do you hope the legacy of Suwon hockey will be, both locally and on a larger scale?
**Closing:**
Thank you, Mr. Kwon, for sharing your insights and passion.
And thank you to our guest expert for providing valuable perspective.
Stay tuned to World Today News as we continue to follow this inspiring story of resilience and community spirit.
