SEOUL, August 12 (AJU PRESS) - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday that it has launched a probe into possible irregularities within the Badminton Korea Association following complaints raised by badminton ace An Se-young during the Summer Olympics in Paris last week.
In the probe, conducted by a team of independent sports officials, the ministry will scrutinize the fairness of the national team selection process and assess the association's support and training for its players and hopes to reach conclusions by next month.
After her gold-medal finish in the women's singles early this month, the 22-year-old publicly accused the association of mistreatment and unfairness. "I won’t be able to continue with the national team. They are neglecting many things under the guise of freedom," the frustrated An said at a post-match press event. Her remarks ignited a debate about the association's handling and management of its players.
The controversy intensified further when the association's head Kim Take-kyu told reporters, "If An had issues with the association, it would have been with me, because I am the association. Is there anyone else other than me?" Kim's claims, equating himself with the association, raised doubts about his leadership.
The ministry aims to determine whether players are treated fairly and if government subsidies, amounting to 7.12 billion won (about $5.19 million) this year, are used properly. An also complained about unequal treatment, revealing that she traveled in economy class, while the association's executives flew in business class.
"Any of our athletes, not only An, should be able to speak their thoughts and opinions. The ministry and the association have the responsibility to listen to athletes' voices," said Lee Jeong-woo, who is spearheading the probe. He added, "The main question we should ask is whether the association is fulfilling its role for the athletes."
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
