Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Hana supports football for disabled people
Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, fifth from left in the front row, poses with officials from the nation's football association and participants to its social program for the disabled here, in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group
By Lee Min-hyung
By Lee Min-hyung
Hana Financial Group has launched a social program for disabled people to enjoy football, enabling them to receive training and play matches under partnerships with professional sports teams.
The program, titled Football Field for All, K-League for All, began its third season this year, with a view to promoting the human rights of disabled people and helping support their sporting activities. Hana and the Korea Professional Football League have joined hands to hold the environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) event annually since 2020.
The event for this year was organized under the concept of “Barrier-free Sports” through which they can watch professional football matches and take part in the games as a team, according to Hana.
A group of 11 professional football teams ― including Hana Daejeon Citizen ― participate in the event. Each team forms one special team consisting of 10 individuals with developmental disabilities, 10 people without disabilities and five football coaches.
The teams will not just compete against each other but engage in a series of communication events with regional fans.
“We expect disabled and non-disabled people to mingle together and learn the value of equality,” Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo said. “Hana will also take the lead to cast positive influences across the society by realizing such social values.”
Meanwhile, the financial holding firm is taking part in a variety of sports-focused ESG activities under ties with social organizations dedicated to people with disabilities. The company has also been sponsoring sports that are not enjoying wide popularity, such as luge.