KOVO appoints former coach Kim Sang-woo as new head of operations! New Secretary-General Eom Jae-yong takes office... One foreign investor each added from the 2027–2028 season

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) has made changes to the Asia quota and foreign player system through its board of directors.

On the morning of the 23rd, KOVO held the 22nd Board of Directors' 6th Regular Meeting and Extraordinary General Assembly at its conference room in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The meeting covered agenda items including changes to the Asia quota and foreign player system, as well as the election of new executives.

As a result, the number of foreign players will be expanded starting from the 2027–2028 season. The quota will increase from one foreign player plus one Asia quota player per team to two foreign players plus one Asia quota player. However, there is a difference in annual salaries between Foreign Player 1 (400,000 dollars in the first year / 550,000 dollars in the second year) and Foreign Player 2 (150,000 dollars in the first year / 170,000 dollars in the second year).

Additionally, the annual salary for Asia quota players will also increase from the previous level (120,000 dollars in the first year / 150,000 dollars in the second year) to (150,000 dollars in the first year / 170,000 dollars in the second year), and all three players will be eligible to participate. For the women's division, the number of Asia quota players will be expanded from one to two starting from the 2027–2028 season, matching the men's division in terms of participation numbers.

The annual salary (150,000 dollars in the first year / 170,000 dollars from the second year onward) remains the same as before. Regarding the deadline for replacing Asia quota and foreign players, starting from the 2026–2027 season, replacements will be allowed up to the fifth round. However, if a player receives a medical diagnosis of injury lasting eight weeks or longer from the league's commission doctor, they may be replaced even after the sixth round.

Furthermore, with the expiration of the current Secretary-General's term, T-Cast CEO Eom Jae-yong was elected as the new Secretary-General effective July 1. Eom Jae-yong, the new Secretary-General, joined MBC News Division's Sports Department in 1991. From 1995, he served as a reporter in the News Department of SBS News Division, a programming PD in the Programming Division, and held positions including Jeong Chaek (Team Lead) in the Planning Office and Shin Sa-eop (Head) in the Content Hub's content business/domestic business divisions.

Secretary-General Eom has served as T-Cast Gyeong Yeong-ji-won (Head) since 2023 and later as T-Cast CEO. Secretary-General Eom is expected to lead the development of professional volleyball for three seasons starting from July 2026.

There have also been changes in the new Head of Operations. KOVO announced, "To strengthen the professionalism of the previous Head of Operations' duties and enhance on-site communication, we have elected former Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance coach Kim Sang-woo as the new Head of Operations."

Head Manager Kim played for Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance from 1996 to 2007. After retiring, he served as a coach at LIG Insurance (2010–2011), Woori Card (2015–2018), and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance (2022–2025). He has also worked as a commentator for KBSN Sports. The term for the Head Manager is one year, and reappointment is possible for one-year terms upon approval by the President and review by the Personnel Committee.

Finally, at the 22nd Board of Directors' 5th Regular Meeting and Extraordinary General Assembly, the club name for the newly approved member company SOOPTV was confirmed as SOOP SOOPers (SOOP Superers) Volleyball Club. Similar to the SOOP platform where diverse members come together, it signifies that players with unique personalities and strengths unite to form a single team.

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*This content was translated by AI.