*This content was translated by AI.
Disagreements have emerged between the Korea Volleyball Federation (hereinafter KOVO) and the Korean University Volleyball Association regarding the abolition of entry fees for new male players. The university association expressed regret, stating that the system was decided without sufficient prior consultation, while KOVO countered that discussions with university volleyball officials had been underway since last July and that some of the university side's opinions were reflected.
A KOVO official refuted the Korean University Volleyball Association's claim that "no consultation took place" during a phone call with StarNews on the 15th, stating it was "factually incorrect."
Earlier, the Korean University Volleyball Association (hereinafter the Association) expressed regret over the process of changing KOVO's new player draft system through an official press release issued today, saying, "We requested consultations, but the decision was made without them and only became known through the media."
According to the university volleyball association, on the 4th, they sent an official letter to KOVO requesting that this year's rookie draft proceed under the current system and that sufficient prior consultation be conducted before any future changes to the system. They also stated their position that changes to the 2027-2028 season rules and implementation guidelines should go through opinion-gathering processes via committees such as the Draft Adjustment Committee.
However, KOVO's explanation differs. A KOVO official stated, "On July 9, responsible officials including university volleyball association representatives, KOVO's executive director, Gyeong Gi-un-yeong (Team Lead), met to discuss the issue."
The official further explained, "During that meeting, KOVO explained its purpose and background for abolishing entry fees for new players and presented an alternative direction of increasing school support funds and raising rookie player salaries to the university volleyball association side. During this process, we also received opinions from the university side. The university volleyball association's demands consisted of three items, including a one-year postponement of the abolition of entry fees."
KOVO continued internal discussions, including meetings with team managers, in response to the university association's demands. The result was a plan to apply the abolition of entry fees starting from the 2027-2028 season. A KOVO official conveyed, "Taking into account the position of the Korean University Baseball Association, we postponed the introduction of entry fee abolition, originally planned for this season, by one year."
Consequently, on the 14th, KOVO held its board meeting and regular general assembly, deciding to abolish entry fees for new male players starting from the 2027-2028 season. Instead, school support funds per club will be increased from 100 million won to 150 million won, and compensation for first-round drafted players will be raised from 40 million won to 60 million won.
There are also differences in the explanations regarding the communication process after the board meeting. The university volleyball association claimed that "the decision was conveyed verbally without formal consultation, and specific details were learned through the media afterward."
In response, KOVO stated that after the board meeting concluded, they first explained the decision via phone to the university association side at the game teams before distributing a press release. A KOVO official replied, "Since it was immediately after the board meeting, we first provided a verbal explanation and were preparing an official letter to be delivered today. We believe the claim that 'it was announced through the media without any consultation process' is incorrect."
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
