A Vision for the Future of Korean Sports
On the occasion of its 105th anniversary, the Korean Sports Association launched a vision declaration ceremony to outline a new path for the next 100 years. The event, held at the Taereung Olympic Village Champions House in Nowon-gu, Seoul, brought together former KOC executives and employees, including notable figures such as Kim Yoo Seung Min, Secretary-General Kim Nam-i, Kim Taek-soo, and several other leaders from the sports community.
At the heart of the event was the presentation of a bold vision centered around the slogan "No Sports, No Future." This initiative aims to drive responsible change within the Korean Sports Council by focusing on four core values: fairness, innovation, trust, and co-prosperity. These values are supported by 12 strategic tasks designed to ensure that the organization remains relevant and effective in meeting the evolving needs of society.
Chairman Yoo Seung Min, who delivered the vision statement, emphasized the importance of reimagining the role of the Korean Sports Council. He highlighted the need for transparent and fair governance that can earn the trust of both internal and external stakeholders. "There is no sports association without the people," he said. "We must be reborn as the Korean Sports Council that is trusted by the people."
The current state of the Korean Sports Council has been identified as a crisis by a significant majority of its members. According to a survey, 98.1% of internal members and 75.2% of external members, including athletes, leaders, and organizations, recognize this crisis. Chairman Yoo pointed out that the reasons for this include organizational privatization and misconduct. "It's time to create transparent and fair governance," he stressed. "The sports world must change further to meet the public's expectations."
He also addressed the growing challenges facing the sports sector. With a decline in student players and reduced physical activity among adolescents, the responsibility of the Korean Sports Council to revitalize national sports is more critical than ever. The expansion of AI-based sports technology further underscores the need for the council to adapt and evolve.
Chairman Yoo outlined a commitment to implementing the four core values through the 12 strategic tasks. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, "The Korean Sports Council should not develop alone. We will create a model where all members grow together through the sports association." This approach aims to foster co-prosperity, cooperation, and growth across all sports, including non-Olympic events.
Revitalizing school sports was another key focus of the vision. Chairman Yoo acknowledged the need to improve the environment for student-athletes, ensuring they can pursue their passions without concern. "We will create the foundation for our dreamers to become the main characters of 100 years of history," he said. This includes developing systems that support students in engaging with sports throughout their education.
The vision also highlights the importance of social integration and the health benefits of sports for all age groups. As life expectancy increases, the role of exercise in maintaining health becomes even more significant. The Korean Sports Council aims to lead efforts in promoting health, happiness, and social inclusion through sports.
Chairman Yoo concluded his speech with a call to action, encouraging everyone to work together for a brighter future. "Let's all run together, seniors and juniors here and sportsmen." His words resonated deeply with the audience, who echoed his sentiment with a unified shout of "No Future!" when he declared "No Sports!"
This vision represents a commitment to reflection, change, and meeting the expectations of the public. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Korean Sports Council, one that is driven by the principles of fairness, innovation, trust, and co-prosperity.