When will the Korean women’s basketball ‘Glory Age’ return?

The domestic women’s professional basketball (WKBL) is not getting active. As of the 6th, the average number of spectators per game in the 2022-23 season is 947, falling short of 1343 in the 2019-20 season before Corona 19.

Efforts on the court continue. Each club is heating up to gather fan hearts. More diverse events than any other professional sports are held during operation time and half time. It offers a variety of products and plays interesting games to attract attention, but only at this time.

The fan service of the players is also worthy of applause. He communicates with each fan who visits the stadium, takes pictures of them, and signs autographs. He also has small conversations with fans he knows well.

However, the results of the international competition are disappointing. When Korean women’s basketball was in its heyday, she was also active on the international stage. Led by Jeon Joo-won, Park Jeong-eun, Jeong Eun-soon, and Jeong Seon-min, women’s basketball reached its peak of popularity as they advanced to the semifinals at the먹튀검증 2000 Sydney Olympics and the semifinals at the 2002 World Championships.

Recently, Korean women’s basketball succeeded in advancing to the Olympic finals for the first time in 12 years at the Tokyo Olympics held last year, but had to pack up after failing to pass the group stage with 3 losses in 3 matches. In the 2022 FIBA ​​Women’s Basketball World Cup held in September last year, they recorded 1 win and 4 losses, realizing a big gap with the world.

It is also regrettable that there is no national league star like Kim Yeon-kyung of women’s volleyball. When Kim Yeon-kyung returns to Heungkuk Life Insurance this season, she is driving the cloud crowd. Park Ji-soo (KB), Kim Dan-bi (Woori Bank), and Kang I-seul (KB) are currently reigning as women’s basketball stars, but they are still not enough to gain national recognition.

Some of the six clubs do not have their own YouTube channel. The 10 professional baseball teams with strong fan bases run their own video teams and provide quality content through new media such as YouTube and Instagram, trying to absorb the younger generation. In contrast, the basketball team’s efforts are new blood.

There are many players who combine skill and star quality. However, there is no clear rivalry or interest factor to watch the game. How to publicize with them depends on the capabilities of the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WKBL) and the club.

In the popular animation movie ‘The First Slam Dunk’ (director Takehiko Inoue), the main character Kang Baek-ho says this. “When was the age of your glory? I am now!” I hope that the glorious era of Korean women’s basketball will come soon.