Dear Members,
I hope this message finds you doing very well.
I’m attaching below messages to you all member associations in 8 different languages, for better understanding.
I wish the best to you associations and your developmental future.
Sincerely,
Young Joong Kang
President
BWF
Dear BWF Member Associations,
We are coming to the end of a turbulent period for the BWF, but as it is with all endings this also mark as a new beginning. It is time to reflect on what we have gone through in the last 4 years and decide what that new beginning will be. This is up to you to decide at the Annual General Meeting in Guangzhou in May 2009 but as your current President, I will offer you my view.
When I was asked to join the BWF, I was deeply honored and was looking forward to leaving a positive mark on the organization. We all know that the dominating factor instead turned out to be the misunderstandings and split views of the BWF leadership. I stood by my principles of transparency, fairness and good governance and believe that this has been appreciated by the majority of the Member Associations.
I was for a long time determined to leave the BWF when my term was up for election in 2009. I was frustrated by resources being spent unconstructively and by every other matter being turned into a political debacle. I was in doubt, having been a central party to the misunderstandings, I wondered if I would still be the right person to lead BWF for another term. Despite the encouragement from the 5 Confederation Presidents and the warm welcome I received when visiting tournaments, I was still in personal distress.
My decision ended with my belief in a brighter future for BWF. I believe in the unity of the badminton world. I believe that we can strengthen the cooperation and service for the Member Associations. I want to contribute to see this happening and hence I have accepted to stand for another term.
Badminton is a great sport and it deserves better media presence. The way the sport is presented around the world reflects it’s potential. The income for any event is based on commercial rights and nothing to do with favors. Money buys short term goals but my aim is to have sustainable revenue for the development of our sport. Thus, badminton officials and bodies should not trust the fate of the sport only just to donations and contributions to keep it going at a semi-international level, but take it to the top tier of global sports by making badminton a sport supported by business.
I am pleased that badminton’s standing with the IOC has been strengthened over the last 4 years. We performed extremely well as a sport at the 2008 Beijing Games. We have had a badminton player elected into the IOC Athletes Commission. We have a Councilor represented in the IOC Program Commission. Furthermore we are spending our funds mainly on development activities and are dedicated to focus on the Olympic Principles. I would hope that by being elected for the second term, Badminton would have a good chance of having one of the IOC IF Presidents’ seats. I would dedicate myself to spend the required time on this task, for the benefit of our sport, should this possibility arise.
So, dear Member Associations. I ask for your continued support as I pledge to serve you loyally and faithfully for the next term. I am just a humble piece in the greater puzzle that will become your governing body. What I represent, in this defining moment, is in fact the entire puzzle which comes through the support offered by the Continental Confederations. We are moving ahead together in unity where everybody is important and valued for their opinion. Together we will be great. Let us not settle for anything less.
I look forward to seeing you all in Guangzhou in May 2009.
Yours sincerely,
Young Joong Kang
