"The KANSF is a competition that instills Korean identity beyond competition through sports."
The ‘2023 GALA’ event hosted by the Korea Sports Association in San Francisco(KSASF, President Seo Cheong-Jin(서청진)) was grandly held. The KSASF held the ‘2023 GALA” on February 25 at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center to support the athletes participating in the 22nd Korean American National Sports Festival(KANSF) to be held in New York for three days from June 23.
More than 150 Koreans, including past KSASF presidents and presidents of sports associations, as well as Jonathan H. Kim(김한일), President of the Korean American Community Center of San Francisco, Lee Jin-Hee(이진희) of President of the Oakland & East Bay Korean American Association, Yoo Byung-Ju(유병주), CEO of Koreana Plaza, Song Ji-Eun(송지은), President of the Korean Schools of Northern California, Kim Soon-Ran(김순란), Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jin Duck & Kyung Sik Kim Foundation, Lee Kyung-Yi(이경이), Vice president of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council of San Francisco, and Deputy Consul General Kang Hyun-Chul(강현철) attended the event and gave their support to the KSASF, which is preparing for the 22nd Korean American National Sports Festival.
Seo Cheong-Jin, President of the KSASF, said in a greeting, “I would like to express my deep gratitude to those who attended this event to support the KSASF participating in the Korean American National Sports Festival, despite the inclement weather.”
More than 150 Koreans, including past KSASF presidents and presidents of sports associations, as well as Jonathan H. Kim(김한일), President of the Korean American Community Center of San Francisco, Lee Jin-Hee(이진희) of President of the Oakland & East Bay Korean American Association, Yoo Byung-Ju(유병주), CEO of Koreana Plaza, Song Ji-Eun(송지은), President of the Korean Schools of Northern California, Kim Soon-Ran(김순란), Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jin Duck & Kyung Sik Kim Foundation, Lee Kyung-Yi(이경이), Vice president of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council of San Francisco, and Deputy Consul General Kang Hyun-Chul(강현철) attended the event and gave their support to the KSASF, which is preparing for the 22nd Korean American National Sports Festival.
Seo Cheong-Jin, President of the KSASF, said in a greeting, “I would like to express my deep gratitude to those who attended this event to support the KSASF participating in the Korean American National Sports Festival, despite the inclement weather.”
President Seo said, “The Korean American National Sports Festival will be held again in New York this year after four years, which were suspended due to the COVID Pandemic,” adding, “If you participate and support us, the athletes participating in the New York Games will be able to achieve good results. The athletic association will also do its best to support the squad.”
Ki Chang-Seo(기창서), Chairman of the KSASF, explained, “The Korean American National Sports Festival is more than just a sports event, it is a meaningful event that instills community unity and identity in future generations. I would like to thank the Koreans for their support and encouragement.”
Former President Lee Young-Moo(이영무) also said, “The Korean American National Sports Festival is an event for the next generation growing up,” and said, “As everyone who has been to the Festival may have felt, the Festival is a very meaningful event for our children, the second generation, to learn their identity as Koreans.”
Ki Chang-Seo(기창서), Chairman of the KSASF, explained, “The Korean American National Sports Festival is more than just a sports event, it is a meaningful event that instills community unity and identity in future generations. I would like to thank the Koreans for their support and encouragement.”
Former President Lee Young-Moo(이영무) also said, “The Korean American National Sports Festival is an event for the next generation growing up,” and said, “As everyone who has been to the Festival may have felt, the Festival is a very meaningful event for our children, the second generation, to learn their identity as Koreans.”
Following former President Lee’s encouraging remarks, Former President Park Yang-Kyu took the stage and introduced past presidents along with the history of the KSASF. Former President Park Yang-Kyu said, “The efforts of past presidents have enabled the KSASF to achieve excellent results in Korean American National Sports Festival,” adding, “Let’s work together with Korean people as well as sports association officials so that the KSASF can hold the Sports Festival again.”
In particular, when Park Yang-Kyu introduced Dr. Ken Min(민경호), former director of Berkeley’s Marshall Arts Program(UCMAP), who attended the event, everyone in attendance stood up and gave a standing ovation. Park introduced Dr. Ken Min as “a person who has made great contributions to the development of Taekwondo.”
In particular, when Park Yang-Kyu introduced Dr. Ken Min(민경호), former director of Berkeley’s Marshall Arts Program(UCMAP), who attended the event, everyone in attendance stood up and gave a standing ovation. Park introduced Dr. Ken Min as “a person who has made great contributions to the development of Taekwondo.”
Congratulations followed. President of the KACCSF Jonathan H. Kim said, “I think the Korean American National Sports Festival is not only an event to compete in good faith through sports, but also a meaningful occasion for all generations to come together as one and confirm their sameness.” “I’m looking forward to coming back with a good performance in New York.”
President of the OEBKAA Lee Jin-Hee also said, “President Seo Chung-Jin, who is putting a lot of effort into preparing for the New York Games, would like to express his support and gratitude to the sports association officials,” and Chairman Kim Soon-Ran congratulated, “I hope that the Northern California athletes will return with sympathy with Koreans from other regions at the National Athletic Games in New York, where they share friendship and love through sports.”
Deputy Consul General Kang Hyun-Chul also gave words of encouragement to the KSASF officials preparing for the New York Games.
President of the OEBKAA Lee Jin-Hee also said, “President Seo Chung-Jin, who is putting a lot of effort into preparing for the New York Games, would like to express his support and gratitude to the sports association officials,” and Chairman Kim Soon-Ran congratulated, “I hope that the Northern California athletes will return with sympathy with Koreans from other regions at the National Athletic Games in New York, where they share friendship and love through sports.”
Deputy Consul General Kang Hyun-Chul also gave words of encouragement to the KSASF officials preparing for the New York Games.
An awards ceremony was also held at the event. Presidential Service Awards and Achievement Awards have been given to sports association officials and Koreans who have contributed to the development of the San Francisco Athletic Association, as well as the Best Athlete Award and the Best Association Award.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award was received by Koreana Plaza CEO Yoo Byung-Ju, who has supported the KSASF, Kim Kyung-Hwan(김경환), former chairman of the board of directors of the OEBKAS, who served as the head of the Seattle Athletic Team, Kim Han-Joo, Park Yang-Gyu, former KSASF Presidents, Cho Hyun-Jin, and Lim Chul-Man, former President of the Badminton Association.
The Achievement Award was received by Advisor John Tok K Kwon(권덕근), former chairman of the KSASF, and Mr. Thomas Donghoon Lee(이동훈).
The Most Valuable Athlete award was won by archer Diane Kim, taekwondo athlete Nathanael Yoon and swimmer Jared Andrew McGee. Players were given $500 in scholarships along with awards. The Best Association Award was given to the Swimming Association.
The 2023 Athletes’ Nigh also saw a flood of donations for the KSASF participating in the New York Games. $3,000 from the Jin Duck & Kyung Sik Kim Foundation, $3,000 from Choi Jum-Gyun, former Chairman of the Beauty Supply Association, $2,000 from Koreana Plaza CEO Yoo Byung-Ju, $2,000 from the OEBKAA, $2,000 from Ki Chang-Seo, $1,000 from the Paralympic Committee of SF, $1,000 from Kim Eun-Kyung the Chairman of the Paralympic Committee of SF, $750 from Archery Association, $500 from Song Ji-Eun, president of the Korean Schools of Northern California, and $500 from the Bowling Association.
The KSASF has a plan to host a golf tournament for the New York Korean American National Sports Festival in April 15.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award was received by Koreana Plaza CEO Yoo Byung-Ju, who has supported the KSASF, Kim Kyung-Hwan(김경환), former chairman of the board of directors of the OEBKAS, who served as the head of the Seattle Athletic Team, Kim Han-Joo, Park Yang-Gyu, former KSASF Presidents, Cho Hyun-Jin, and Lim Chul-Man, former President of the Badminton Association.
The Achievement Award was received by Advisor John Tok K Kwon(권덕근), former chairman of the KSASF, and Mr. Thomas Donghoon Lee(이동훈).
The Most Valuable Athlete award was won by archer Diane Kim, taekwondo athlete Nathanael Yoon and swimmer Jared Andrew McGee. Players were given $500 in scholarships along with awards. The Best Association Award was given to the Swimming Association.
The 2023 Athletes’ Nigh also saw a flood of donations for the KSASF participating in the New York Games. $3,000 from the Jin Duck & Kyung Sik Kim Foundation, $3,000 from Choi Jum-Gyun, former Chairman of the Beauty Supply Association, $2,000 from Koreana Plaza CEO Yoo Byung-Ju, $2,000 from the OEBKAA, $2,000 from Ki Chang-Seo, $1,000 from the Paralympic Committee of SF, $1,000 from Kim Eun-Kyung the Chairman of the Paralympic Committee of SF, $750 from Archery Association, $500 from Song Ji-Eun, president of the Korean Schools of Northern California, and $500 from the Bowling Association.
The KSASF has a plan to host a golf tournament for the New York Korean American National Sports Festival in April 15.
