Matching Point : Fought for the death to be free
The South
Korean government has made it mandatory for all able-bodied men to complete a military
service for two years sometime between 18 and 35, as a deterrent against the North.
There are, however, some ways ‘exceptions’ to this rule for Korean athletes, as
receiving an Olympic medal or gold medal in different tournaments (like the
Asian game) for the country results in an exemption on any military service for
them.
There was a big issue that South Korean’s footballers are officially
exempt from any kind of military duty because they made 2 -1 win against japan
in final match of Asian game 2018. Tottenham fans will be immensely delighted
to know that star player ‘Son’ will continue to be one part of their team.
By the rules in Asian football game, squads are inexperienced, as
each team is only allowed three players over the age 23 and Son was one of them,
called ‘Wild card’. For Son, the tournament represents the most important
competition of his life. Should they fail to win it all, they all have to enlist
in the military and serve for at least 21 moths during the prime of their
ascendant athletic career.
-sukjae Yoon
I feel very proud of Son for achieving his main goal this year that was winning the olympic medal and therefore not attending the military service that the South Korean government imposes. He has made it and he can now play freely with Spurs
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see him so happy, that he can continue to play football instead of having to join the army. It's a good thing that South-Korea makes exceptions for professional athletes. The fans of Tottenham also must be pleased that they get to keep Son.
ReplyDeleteBart de Groot
With military service, some athletes could fail their career. The tournament represents the most important competition for him because, this, determines his football career. It is an issue in International sport, because time flies for athlete.
ReplyDeleteClara Finkenberg
Jose Viladomiu:
ReplyDeleteI think everyone who likes sports feels happy for South Korea players, specially Son. I think athletes shouldn't´t be submitted to this `judgement of death´ and this kind of issues should try to be solved by the International Sports Community, however I suppose it is too difficult too solve. I can't imagine the pressure they have been submitted too...
JOSE: I am very happy that they are able to continue playing football as he is one of the best players in the Premier League and I would never imagine the Spurs without him in the team. I also think they've been able to handle the situation very well with the rest of their team because I don't think they should be very focused on the games knowing they could finish their football career at any time. In short, I'm happy that we can still enjoy this player.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, we can keep watching this fantastic soccer player playing the sports he loves and the most important thing, doing his work. In my opinion, I think that is an extremely unfair situation he had to pass through. You must consider that a soccer player can just play for approximately 10 years in their careers, meaning that he could just have that opportunity in that time of his life.
ReplyDeleteSo, considering what I just said before, why did not Korean army can make an exception on this player? I understand their culture, but I think that It is a perfectly understandable situation.
Pere Teixidó: The truth is, I met Son because of his situation a few months ago. I can't imagine what this talented player went through and all the nerves he must have gone through. Congratulations on having been able to overcome this and continue playing in the Premier
ReplyDeleteIt is quite reasonable from my point of view, for the government to encourage athletes to be exempt from military duty since they made good grades in an big international competition! Cause the athletes can only perform well if they are young (which might related to their body condition) and never stop practicing. Join the military might bring a irreversible damage to their career life!
ReplyDeleteLee Yun