The essence of the conflict between Ahn Se-young (22, Samsung Life Insurance) and the Korea Badminton Association seems to be money.

Ahn won the gold medal in women's singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Port Drachapel Arena on Saturday (Korea time). It was the first gold medal in 16 years for Korean badminton since Lee Yong-dae and Lee Hyo-jung in mixed doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The badminton scene quickly became a collection of portraits. It was because of Ahn's bombshell remarks at the ceremony. "I am disappointed in the national team for making me feel complacent about my knee injury. The association is neglecting (athletes) in the name of freedom even though it prevents everything," Ahn said.

In response, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched an investigation into the Badminton Association to find out how. Ahn also announced his absence from the international competition in August and appointed a lawyer, heralding a legal battle with the association.

Initially, the conflict between Ahn Se-young and the association was regarded as "injury management," but "money" is emerging as time goes by. According to the association's national team operating guidelines, individual sponsorship contracts for badminton equipment companies and association sponsors and representative athletes in the same industry are restricted, and Ahn said, "I hope (the association) will release individual sponsors without preventing them from attracting individual sponsors."

The association's official sponsor, Yonex, will contribute about 4 billion won (about 4 billion U.S. dollars) annually. The amount amounts to more than 90 percent of the total operating expenses of the national team. "Considering the nature of the sponsorship provided by star players, it is highly likely that preferential treatment to Ahn will reduce the size of Yonex's sponsorship going forward, reducing the operation of the national team," an association official said.

Some in the badminton world say, "I know Ahn Se-young has been dissatisfied with personal sponsorship issues before." Rumor has it that he was dissatisfied with his lower income than other players in other countries, who are free to attract individual sponsors even after being ranked No. 1 in the world.

However, there are suggestions to address the cause of Ahn's complaint. "The association had friction with players over sponsorship issues in the past. It is time to reduce dependence on Yonex and attract various companies," a badminton source said. "In case of table tennis, only uniforms are provided at Butterfly, and the rest of the items are freely sponsored. We desperately need to learn how the association works."

BY: 안전놀이터