The Straits Times December 17, 2007 From Reuters Kuala Lumpur Leading figures from the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the sport's ruling body, have decided to seek the removal of South Korean president Kang Young Joong midway through his term of office. An extraordinary general meeting is being called for early next year to vote on a BWF Council recommendation to dismiss him. The move follows a lengthy and bitter split laid bare during the World Championships in August, when Kang stood aside for a time to examine his position after a 14-5 vote of no confidence. A media release on Saturday after a Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur said there had been a long discussion with the Korean, the president since 2005. The discussion had examined "the conflicts associated with his role in the World Badminton Foundation he established in 2007 and which is not under the jurisdiction of BWF". The Council was concerned that the Foundation was competing with the BWF and "circulating documents critical of the BWF Council and individual officers". It also questioned his ability "to provide effective leadership of the BWF and settle the internal tensions to which he was contributing". The Korean argued in August theat BWF deputy president Punch Gunalan of Malaysia had usurped his position and that the BWF had spiralled downwards through a "dictatorship by democracy".
BWF and WBF: They have different functions/objectives for Badminton I thought that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and the World Badminton Foundation Council (WBFC) are both doing good for our World of Badminton. BTW, here is a photo when the WBFC met in November, 2007. World Badminton Foundation Council - November 7, 2007 At that meeting... WBF members approved budgeting, main operation plans, and other pending issues. WBF’s objective is to promote Badminton as a more popular sport worldwide. Dr. Young Joong Kang, founder of WBF said, "We will support not only youth sports activities, but also human resource development in the area of education and arts in developing countries." Cheers... chris@ccc .
This is the first time I heard of the World Badminton Foundation (WBF) supposedly independent of the world badminton controlling body. The initials are indeed confusing and distracting - WBF versus BWF! I don't know about the conflicting details as indicated but soon we should expect lots of drama, good and bad!
i don't see how that's a vote for non-confidence. what exactly has he done wrong apart from this....WBCF?
One thing that comes to mind is that the main role of BWF is to promote world badminton. President Kang is at the helm of BWF and he is in the council of another body that purports to promote badminton worldwide, besides other things. If President Kang is not leading BWF then his role should not been seen as conflicting and competing. Worse still, it was him who established the WBF this year when he is still in office. Now if he is not in any way associated with WBF, then I suppose all will be well and good since WBF is helping to promote badminton as with all other national associations in other countries. But it is too early for us to guess and make wrong conclusions. More details must be made available for a better understanding of the actions and outcome.
Power struggle in BWF I haven't heard much lately from the power struggle inside BWF of the Punch-group versus Kang and the rest. Anyone here with some inside information? Does anyone know why spoilsport.blog.com got closed down?? After the press release this week ( http://www.internationalbadminton.org/newscontent.asp?pageid={F0A5995E-F6F9-41EE-BF56-891D96CE877E} ) it seems clear that still a lot is going on, anyone comments? (starting new thread since the old one "troubles in BWF" is used for such a broad discussion)
Good cause but Conflicting interest WBF started by Dr.Kang is a news. One more familiar face one can see is Ganga Rao - GM - Kang promoted COO, BWF now a member of WBF. From Dr.Kang side, as he is the President and work for the sport of badminton, he cannot start a unit parallel to BWF which was already started during last february and Ganga Rao was helping Dr.Kang do the damage of the existing BWF for his own means was the sanctity of the "deemed hacked email" confiscated at BWF office and one of the reason for BWF to sack or Ganga Rao to be terminated. When Punch is showing the political power Dr.Kang is showing the Money power in BWF ultimately both are damaging the interests of badminton community and the members at large. There is no trouble anymore in BWF , BWF is already damaged with the vital organs just functioning to bring it back it to life is the interpretation of press release. New positions called for to take over all portfolios and punch is getting sidelined. What Dr.Kang is aspiring to do is to eliminate Punch from badminton map by his money and muscle power and punch trying to do it the same way but with human and political power. DR.Kang being a leading business man and a very strong diplomat should have known tht it is ONLY a conflicting business interest with BWF if he is going to have WBF. But since Dr.Kang is full of money whatever he says, there are heads to agree with it.
Looks like all are Asians, which could be improved if they have others from all the continents if they want to be called a world body.
The Korea SS Badminton Tournament offers larger prize monies . Is this why the Korea SS event offers larger prize monies ??? .
really, what IS going on in BWF? i hope it will get cleared up soon. other sports have politics brewing in their midst too but the sports they represented still is the main issue. but all this stabbing in the back and so on and so forth in BWF...? i think i will not pay attention to this anymore. better put all my attention into badminton. as far away as i could from the politics of it all.
kwun would be happy to read this post . Yes azabaz_ipoh... kwun would be happy to read this post of yours. .
I agrre Loh, But as always: 1. No one can cross Punch 2. Punch's position is the only one without a tenure (every one lese has a set period), so his position is for life, and thus every one else has to get his favour.
Politics, drama, episodes, emotions , actions, thrillers are expected in the coming months from members as there is a parallel agenda by the president at this juncture. When punch was accused and charged with allegations of IT contract, distribution rights, tv rights by Dr.Kang President he has also misused his position conflicting the federation interest to satisfy his business interest which punch could not do as he was only a player and not a business man. Above all, Former GM - COO who was suspended is one of the key member - Asia director in WBF floated by Kang. This is an ample evidence that he was trying to divide the federation and create a rift between europe, asia by his cheap game producing letter to IOC without even knowing the basic rules of the federation as his money/muscle power ruling over and above the laws and legislation. Letter, suspension of GM - all taken from BWF official press releases. For badminton lovers and community it is not worth the while on BWF as the development according to the members are changing the scoring system, introduction of major prize money, etc. Did they ever think about the countries where the badminton can be improved with training academies like african countries and american countries. Also in asia, in srilanka, hongkong, india where huge members are playing but not able to feature in ranking. There should be tournaments within asia, to improve game and the fantasy.
