Empowering the Disabled Through Badminton: An Interview with Park Kyeong-eun

Park Gyeong-eun, executive director of the Jeju City Disabled Badminton Association (third from the left). Provided by myself
◇Ryu Do-seong> Let’s create a society where people can live together and empathize with disabilities. Today, we will talk about badminton, a sport that many disabled people participate in. At this time, Park Kyeong-eun, executive director of the Jeju City Disabled Badminton Association, is here. hello.

◆Park Kyeong-eun> Hello.

◇ Ryu Do-seong> When and how was the Jeju City Disabled Badminton Association founded?

◆Park Kyeong-eun> The Jeju City Disabled Badminton Association began with the establishment of the Jeju City Disabled Sports Association in December 2019 with six affiliated organizations.

◇Ryu Do-seong> How many members are currently with you?

◆Park Kyeong-eun> Currently, about 30 athletes are exercising together, and the athlete base is gradually expanding regardless of the type of disability.

◇Ryu Do-seong> Who are the people you work with?

◆ Park Kyeong-eun> Most of the executives working with our association are people who have been playing badminton as a recreational sport for a long time or have a high understanding of badminton, and most of the players are severely disabled or intellectually developmentally disabled players who use wheelchairs. .

◇Ryu Do-seong> What role do you play in the Badminton Association for the Disabled?

◆Kyung-eun Park> We are carrying out three major projects. First, we run badminton classes for beginners and intermediates every year. We provide professional guidance through standing and wheelchair instructors so that anyone who wants to learn badminton can learn, regardless of their type of disability.

Second, we hold a compatibility competition 2-3 times a year where local badminton players and non-disabled players can get along and show off their skills to the fullest. Finally, we attend a national competition once to compete with players from other regions. It is structured as a time to complete the year.

◇Ryu Do-seong> Are there more people competing or exercising in badminton than other sports?

◆Park Kyeong-eun> We often think of badminton as a sport that is the easiest to access in daily life and can be enjoyed regardless of skill level. However, there are some restrictions when it comes to badminton for the disabled. Playing badminton outdoors is difficult due to the risk of accidents, and in the case of indoor badminton, those who use wheelchairs have separate wheelchairs for living and wheelchairs for competition.

Because competitive wheelchairs are so expensive, it is difficult to purchase them yourself, so there are cases where old wheelchairs used by existing athletes are passed down, making access to the equipment difficult. Because it is a very fast and intense sport, there are some parts that are difficult to access depending on the level of disability.

Currently, we are holding competitions in Jeju Province about 6 times a year with players from Jeju Island, Jeju City, and Seogwipo City, based on existing players, and about 20 players are exercising at Tamna Welfare Center for the Disabled every weekend.
Members of the Jeju City Disabled Badminton Association playing badminton. Jeju City Disabled Badminton Association
◇Ryu Do-seong> Are there any differences in the rules in games for the disabled?

◆Park Kyeong-eun> Badminton rules are the same for disabled and non-disabled people. However, there are games that are not available in games for the non-disabled, such as four-player games or games that are played sitting down.

◇Ryu Do-seong> What can you say about your achievements so far?

◆Park Kyeong-eun> Nationwide, Jeju’s badminton performance is remarkable. As you know, there is Lee Dong-seop, who won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, where it was first adopted as an official sport. At the 43rd National Sports Festival for the Disabled held in early November, Jeju won 11 medals and ranked 4th in the country.

As part of the daily sports program run by our city association, we won silver and bronze medals in the team and men’s doubles competitions at last year’s Yonex competition, and we plan to compete in the Yonex competition as a mixed quartet this December as well. In addition to wheelchairs, we continued to conduct classroom projects with athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and were able to win a silver medal in mixed doubles and a bronze medal in men’s doubles at the International Unified Sports Competition held in Inje, Gangwon-do last September.

◇Ryu Do-seong> Isn’t it difficult to lead the association?

◆Kyung-eun Park> I think the most difficult part is supplying wheelchairs for competition. Since it is quite expensive, it is difficult for an individual to purchase it, and since we are using the one used by existing players, our foot sizes and body types are different, so we end up having to fit our bodies into wheelchairs. As a result, there is a risk of accidents.

◇ Ryu Do-seong> I think there are many times when you feel rewarded while running the association.

◆Park Kyeong-eun> I always feel like I get a lot of reward from people. If the players didn’t approach me because they felt awkward at first, now I feel like they are feeling closer to the younger players when they smile and say hello and talk about various things, so I feel more rewarded than when I got good grades.

◇ Ryu Do-seong> What do you think needs to be improved in terms of improving awareness of people with disabilities?

◆Park Kyeong-eun> When we prepare for a disabled badminton competition or a major event, we go on a preliminary field trip with the players. When making a reservation, I make sure to visually check things like how many stairs there are at the entrance or bathroom, whether there are ramps, and whether there are any inconveniences in moving around. Things are improving a lot not only in Jeju but also across the country, but there are still some basic difficulties.

◇Ryu Do-seong> Do you have any final wishes?

◆Park Kyeong-eun> I think everything starts with a little interest. If there is a disabled person around you who needs or requests help, be sure to ask them what they would like help with and wait a little. I hope we can create a society where we all live together with continuous interest, not temporary interest.

◇Ryu Do-seong> Let’s create a society that empathizes with disabilities. Today, I spoke with Park Kyeong-eun, executive director of the Jeju City Disabled Badminton Association. Thank you very much today.

◆Park Kyeong-eun> Thank you.
Members who participated in the 2nd Jeju City Disabled Sports Association President’s Cup Eoullim Badminton Competition. Jeju City Disabled Badminton Association

2023-11-22 04:52:13
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