Approval of BWF Honorary Life Vice-President - Dr. Kang, Young Joong

The proposal to make former BWF President, Dr. Kang Young Joong of Daekyo, an Honorary Life Vice-President (HLVP) of the world-governing body which he led for eight years had unanimously approved by delegates of Member Association at the 2014 BWF AGM which held in New Delhi, India on May 24th, 2014.

All the delegates of MAs who attended AGM consented unanimously on the BWF Council proposal to make Dr. Kang an HLVP by giving a standing ovation.

Poul Erik Hoyer, the President of BWF and Gregory Verpoorten, Deputy chair of IOC/IR committe provided a background of the proposal and Dr. Kang's brilliant achievement and contribution to badminton sport and BWF.

At the acceptance speech, Dr. Kang gave his sincere appreciation to BWF council and MAs and said he will take step towards creating a pathway to make BWF even more global IFs.

Dr. Kang Young Joong was President of the Badminton World Federation from 2005 to 2013. As President for eight years, Dr Kang lead the BWF through the most significant period of growth in the 80 year history of the Federation.

From 2009 to 2013, during Dr. Kang’s second term, the BWF and Badminton went through unprecedented change. The rise and rise in the status of Badminton and the BWF was due to strong leadership, good governance, key partnerships and a strategic approach under Dr. Kang’s leadership.

Dr Kang’s leadership helped to establish the conditions for “best practice” and excellence for the sport and the BWF. During the 2009 - 2013 period, the BWF established its strongest financial position ever - however this was not easily achieved.

With the future of the BWF World Superseries in serious doubt in 2008 / 2009, Dr Kang intervened and bought to bear, a new sponsor to financially support the Series to give the BWF the much needed security and time to establish a title sponsor for the Series. By the end of 2010, the Series was on the road to success from a branding, broadcast and commercial point of view. The support of the President was vital in keeping the series viable through a difficult time.

Over the 2009 - 2013 period, the BWF, under Dr. Kang’s leadership, expanded its commercial returns significantly through the BWF World Superseries and its Major Events and BWF is now in a position where it is no longer solely dependent on Olympic income for its future.

After the first four year term starting in 2005, Dr. Kang was re-elected in 2009 at the AGM in Guangzhou and he continued to emphasize the importance of a transparent, principled and democratic approach to governance. During the period, Dr. Kang oversaw the review of the BWF constitution, which resulted in, among other things, the abolition of proxy voting.

This, combined with the travel grant for accommodation support for three nights for AGM delegates, meant the greater engagement of the membership in the governance processes of the BWF. Dr. Kang introduced the idea of interpreting the AGM to make the meetings more accessible to a wide range of people in our global badminton system. The AGMs started being interpreted into four languages in 2012 - French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic.

As a result of these initiatives, more Members are able to actively participate in BWF AGMs and exercise their right to speak.

Early on in the presidency, Dr. Kang established a President’s Fund, donations from Dr. Kang for the use of the BWF around development initiatives and support for areas in the BWF. This fund was utilized over the years to enhance development opportunities in regional areas and to provide opportunities for youth. Before stepping down as President, the President’s fund was directed towards providing scholarships for medallists at the BWF World Junior Championship. This is another important legacy of Dr. Kang’s Presidency - and for the next 10 years, each of the medallists of the BWF World Junior Championships will benefit from this fund.