The Korea University Football Confederation (KUFC) officially announced on the 23rd that it has appointed former national team player Ahn Jung-hwan as the general director of the new university football system "UNIV PRO."
Director Ahn will oversee operations, strategy, branding, and public relations for UNIV PRO, and is expected to take the lead in the rebranding of university football and the establishment of an elite player incubation system.
KUFC explained that it plans to operate the UNIV PRO system to complement the existing fragmented training system and to make university football function as "the final gateway for player development."
This system aims to redefine the model of university football as a specialized player development hub through the linkage with the KFA division system and K League, the 24/7 operation of the Korea University Football U19-U22 national squad, strengthening overseas exchanges for the university national teams, and organic connections with professional teams.
Park Han-dong, the president of KUFC, noted, "There is no one more suitable than Director Ahn Jung-hwan at this new starting point for university football," and added, "Ahn led the university football craze during his time at Ajou University and became a symbolic figure who led the peak of the K League upon joining Busan Daewoo Royals."
He added, "Since he is once again involved with university football through this rebranding, it will inject new vitality into university football, serving as a turning point for its revival."
"I gladly accepted this role, believing that if university football thrives, Korean football will thrive as well," said General Director Ahn Jung-hwan, adding, "Having experienced playing on the big stage, such as overseas advances and the World Cup, based on my growth on the university football stage, I will dedicate myself to ensure that UNIV PRO can establish itself as a crucial pillar of the Korean football system."
Meanwhile, the UNIV PRO system is set to begin full operations in the second half of the year, including various programs such as age-specific university national squad training, international tryouts, competition participation, and support for professional contracts.
In particular, the first age-specific national squad selection of Korean university football was successfully concluded with the second evaluation match of the U21 and U22 national squad held on the 8th, and the selected players are expected to participate in practical training programs through the UNIV PRO system.
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