Korean association fined for negligence

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) issued a press release today stating that they had fined the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) US$40,000 for negligence in the context of the Whereabouts violations […]

The Badminton World Federation () issued a press release today stating that they had fined the (BKA) US$40,000 for negligence in the context of the Whereabouts violations that got doubles players Kim Ki Jung and suspended in January.  At the original hearings, the BKA had admitted responsibility for the violations and this was mentioned, in the January 28th ruling, as a reason for the imposition of only the minimum one-year suspension on the two players.

However, in the most recent decision, a BWF Disciplinary Committee determined that the BKA also “failed in its duty of care for these two players through administrative failure, thereby contributing to the three strikes against the players which made them ineligible”.     The BKA was cited for negligence in communication with the players, including “failing to educate BKA players and staff on essential elements of the Whereabouts and Anti- Programmes and making false representation to BWF by communication, without proper consent and communication from Kim and Lee.”

In addition to the fine, the committee also recommended that the BKA make the players themselves responsible for updating their own Whereabouts information “since players are ultimately responsible for failures under the WADA Anti-Doping Code and BWF Anti-Doping Regulations.”

The BKA has 21 days to appeal this decision.  Furthermore, it was reported in the Korean press earlier this month that Kim and Lee had already submitted an appeal of their suspensions on February 1st to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Click here to read the full press release on the BWF website

Don Hearn

About Don Hearn

Don Hearn is an Editor and Correspondent who hails from a badminton-loving town in rural Canada. He joined the Badzine team in 2006 to provide coverage of the Korean badminton scene and is committed to helping Badzine to promote badminton to the place it deserves as a global sport. Contact him at: don @ badzine.net