Ex-World Cup stars named honorary ambassadors for U-20 tournament

Former South Korean footballers Ahn Jung-hwan (L) and Park Ji-sung (R) pose with Korea Football Association president Chung Mong-gyu (C) after two were named the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup honorary ambassadors at the appointment ceremony in Seoul on May 18, 2016. (Yonhap)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — Two former South Korean football stars were appointed honorary ambassadors for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup on Wednesday.

The organizing committee of the U-20 World Cup unveiled Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan as new goodwill ambassadors for South Korea’s first hosting of the FIFA tournament since 2007. The U-20 World Cup, which features 24 nations, will be played from May 20 to June 11, 2017, in Cheonan, Daejeon, Incheon, Jeju, Jeonju and Suwon.

Two football stars vowed that they will promote the event and help young players enjoy the tournament.

“I feel honored to work for young players,” Ahn said. “I will put my best efforts forward with the mindset that I had as a player.”

Park said, “Personally, I’ve never played at the U-20 World Cup, but I’m happy that I can join the tournament at least in this way. I want to help young players and put my best efforts for South Korea to be a successful host.”

Park and Ahn are considered South Korean football icons of their generation. Both have three goals each in three straight World Cups starting in 2002, the most among South Korean footballers. They were key players in South Korea’s historic run to the semifinals at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Park ended his playing career in 2014. He is the first South Korean to play in the English Premier League, having played for Manchester United from 2005 to 2012. The 35-year-old, recognized as a tireless midfielder, represented South Korea in 100 matches and scored 13 times.

Ahn, 40, hung up his boots in 2012. He is best known for his dramatic, golden goal to seal South Korea’s 2-1 win over Italy at the 2002 World Cup round of 16. The skillful forward, who scored 17 goals in 71 matches for South Korea, played clubs in Italy, Japan, France, Germany and China during his 14-year professional career.

Park and Ahn already have experience in promoting events and teams as honorary ambassadors. Park has been serving as Manchester United’s club ambassador since 2014, while Ahn in 2012 was named ambassador for South Korea’s professional football league.

Even after retirement, both have stayed close to football. Park has been running the JS Foundation, his own charity organization established in 2011 that aims to develop youth football. The foundation is the organizer of the 2016 Suwon JS Cup, where U-19 teams from Brazil, France, Japan and South Korea will compete from Wednesday to Sunday.

Ahn has established himself as a famous football commentator. He has also appeared on entertainment shows and showed a humorous side.

“The preparation for the U-20 tournament will get a big boost because of Park and Ahn,” said Chung Mong-gyu, head of the organizing committee and president of the Korea Football Association (KFA). “The addition of these two stars will motivate many young players.”

South Korea is the third country, along with Mexico and Japan, to have hosted all major FIFA men’s tournaments, with the 2001 Confederations Cup, the 2002 World Cup and the 2007 U-17 World Cup.