Seoul: The sports ministry announced on Thursday its intention to request a police investigation into the head of the national badminton governing body, who is suspected of misappropriating sponsored goods for personal use. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism made this revelation during a press briefing, where it disclosed the findings of its investigation into the Badminton Korea Association (BKA). The ministry initiated the investigation in August after An Se-young, the women's singles gold medalist at the Paris Olympics, criticized the federation's treatment of athletes and operations. Lee Jung-woo, chief of the sports bureau at the ministry, revealed that Kim Taek-gyu, president of the BKA, engaged in embezzlement and breach of trust by improperly distributing sponsored goods worth 140 million won (US$101,559) without following official procedures last year. The investigation further uncovered that the BKA breached subsidy regulations by securing 2.6 billion won in sponsorship contracts without proper bidding over the past two years. The ministry has held Kim and other key BKA officials responsible, requesting that the BKA's sports fairness committee dismiss Kim from his position and impose strict disciplinary measures on the association's secretary general. Additionally, reform measures were announced to enhance athlete management, such as allowing players to use personal sponsor-provided equipment at international events, addressing An's claims of inadequate medical support during the Olympics by permitting athletes to bring personal trainers to national team sessions. Plans to improve player welfare were also unveiled, including expanding medical facilities at the Jincheon National Training Center and increasing physical therapy staff. The ministry is also considering enhancing living conditions for athletes by allowing free time for outings on weekends and holidays. In a bid to eradicate remaining inappropriate practices, the ministry pledged to monitor the na tional team's environment, ensuring younger players are not subjected to chores like cleaning and laundry for senior athletes. Lee stated that if necessary changes are not implemented by the association, the ministry will consider extreme measures, such as dismissing all executives and halting non-athlete support funding, due to the association's perceived inability to reform itself.