Park Han-dong, president-elect of the University Football Federation, will become the president who strives to develop the future of university football
Dec 22, 2024
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Park Han-dong, CEO of Moez Korea (48), has been elected as the new head of Korean university football. The Korea University Football Federation held the election of the 13th president of the Korea University Football Federation at the Seoul Football Center on the 20th. Park received 37 out of 72 valid votes. He beat Byun Seok-hwa, the current president of the Korea University Football Federation, by just two votes and was elected as the new chairman. President-elect Park will lead college football for four years from January 9, 2025.
Park is an elite soccer player-turned-entrepreneur. He played in Myeongji, Pohang Steelers, and Korea Korail. In September 1994, he participated in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-20 Youth Championship. Since retiring as an active player due to injury in 2002, he has been running a business bond.
For the first time, he challenged himself to become president of the College Football Association. In an interview with Sports Chosun earlier, President-elect Park agonized a lot about " (until running for the election). I don't think much has changed compared to when I was a college football player. I thought I needed to change, so I thought a lot. The goal of life is to give back more than I have received in the world. I will give everything I can to develop college football. We will boldly put down vested interests and privileges and create a college football that we all make together. In order for university football to increase its financial independence, it needs external investment and government support. To receive investment from companies and individuals, it is essential to make college football an attractive product. It will create a ground where everyone goes in and out beyond players, leaders, and parents. We can change, we can change..." he vowed.
The result of the vote was a close fight, as originally expected. Seventy-two out of 80 electors voted. It was a close game. As a result of the vote, Park received 37 votes. Soon after his election, Park said through Sports Chosun, `I'm really grateful to all university football officials. Thank you to all the players, executives, and supporters who supported me. Chairman Byun Seok-hwa has a lot of hard work. Thank you so much. I received a lot of burden from everyone who supported me in the future Think. I'll take that burden and try my best to communicate with you"I'm determined.
Ahead of the election, Park pledged to ▶ improve the under-22 (U-22) system and build a platform ▶ expand college soccer players' professional advancement and employment support ▶ operate leaders' education and support programs ▶ operate open and horizontal federations. In addition, he insisted on improving U-League system problems through Sports Chosun and winning the International University Sports Federation College World Cup soccer tournament within his term.
Immediately after his election, he said, "(The pledge is) I've felt in my 25 years of college football. I'll make a difference and make an effort for the players. I will become a president who really strives for the development of the future of college football." In front of President-elect Park, there are a lot of tasks in college football. Soccer prospects try to jump straight into the professional stage without going through college football. The title of a prestigious college football player no longer guarantees life after retirement.
Chairman Byun Seok-hwa has shown leadership as the head of university football for more than 20 years since he first became the chairman in 2002. be considered the `Godfather' of college football. Unfortunately, however, he failed in the seventh term. Chairman Byun formed a relationship with the University Federation in 2000 as a sponsor of supplies. In 2002, he replaced Chairman Yoo Byung-jin as the head of the Korea University Federation. He won consecutive terms in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2017, and 2020. He also served as president of the Asian University Football Federation while serving as president of the university football federation. It is evaluated that it has expanded the base of Korean university football. In addition, the regular Korea-Japan college football match (Denso Cup) was expanded to the first and second grade championships. He elevated the status of Korean college football through diplomacy on the international stage.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
