“I’m ashamed, but my nickname is a victory fairy.”
Kim Jin-tae, 60, governor of Gangwon Province, has been busy with key pending issues in the provincial government, but is preparing for all K-League 1 Kangwon FC home games as the owner of the team. He has “intuitively” played 16 of the 18 home games that Gangwon has played this season, excluding business trips abroad. In the games that he saw on the field, Gangwon had 10 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses. Amid the strong interest of the team’s owner, Gangwon turned itself into a competitive team for this season’s championship, leaving behind the tough battle to stay in the top division last year.
Ulsan HD failed to become the first champion in the history of the provincial and provincial teams as it confirmed its early victory on the 1st, but the “Gangwon Fairy Tale” has already been completed. Although there is no “big name,” the team has been united around coach Yoon Jung-hwan to show off attractive offensive soccer (the league’s most 61 goals) and even create the “18-year-old Yang Min-hyuk Myth.” With two remaining games in the league, he is ranking second with 61 points (18 wins, 7 draws and 11 losses). He is looking not only at the best performance ever in Gangwon history but also at the Asian stage in the next season.
Governor Kim, who recently met at the Gangwon Provincial Office in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, said, “Watching our soccer this year, I feel the truth that ‘attack is the best defense’. I once told coach Yoon to ‘do it well’, and I am surprised and grateful for this performance.”
He did not hide his overwhelming heart when the story of Yang Min-hyuk, who led Gangwon’s attack this season, came up. “I have a headache these days,” said Governor Kim, “Many acquaintances across the country ask me to get the ball and uniform signed by Yang Min-hyuk. It’s so hard for me to refuse because it’s hard to get them…He laughed.
Since his debut in the K League 1 at the age of 18, Yang has had 11 goals and six assists while playing in all 36 games this season. He signed a contract with Tottenham Hotspur (England) last summer and achieved his big league dream, as he is about to board a plane to London next year. “I heard that Gangwon Province is good at swimming these days, so many promising players from all over the country want to come to Gangwon Sports High School,” Governor Kim said. “The same goes for soccer. Yang Min-hyuk from Gangneung Jeil High School, our youth team, played for the first team and went straight to the big league. The transfer fee alone amounts to a whopping 6 billion won (approx. We will not stop there, nurture outstanding prospects, strengthen support, and create a virtuous circle. We will produce second and third Yang Min-hyuk for sure.” 메이저놀이터
“The recruitment of local youth players as professionals is the club’s mid- to long-term plan and philosophy,” he said, vowing to expand the base of Gangwon soccer by increasing the proportion of players from local youth.
He also thanked supporters Narsha and provincial residents who supported the soccer team. Gangwon had 122,772 spectators in 19 home games last year. This season, 162,503 spectators have entered the stadium in 18 games so far. The average number of spectators was 9,028 this season, up more than 2,500 from last year (6462). “Good performances this season include fans who have been supporting Kangwon FC, whether it rains or snows, whether they are not doing well or not,” Governor Kim said. “I was told that the result of Kangwon FC’s game determines the mood of the week. I feel great affection for them. A full crowd is now a reality, not a dream.”
Finally, regarding the “continuity of policy” issue, such as Achilles heel of the provincial team, Governor Kim said, “We will systematically support (no matter who owns the team), to continue the sustainable profit structure and good culture. In addition, Gangwon Province will be divided into Chuncheon and Gangneung, where home games will be held. We will lead more provincial residents to truly rejoice after encountering soccer under precise rules. Please cheer for us.”