Choi Hee-am, chairperson of the KXO international tournament organizing committee, Park Geon-yeon, chairman of KXO, and Shin Eun-seop, chairman of the Hongcheon County Sports Council, who have worked to develop 3×3 basketball in Korea and attract international tournaments, received honors.
The three received the grand prize in the sports promotion category and the Proud Korean Award at the 2026 KEA Korea Entertainment Awards ceremony held on the 10th at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building auditorium. They were recognized for their contributions to the successful hosting of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 international tournament, the “FIBA 3×3 Hongcheon Challenger,” and for advancing 3×3 basketball in Korea.
The ceremony, hosted by the Korea Entertainment Association, was held with sponsorship from the National Assembly, the Seoul Metropolitan Council and the Sejong the Great National Committee. It was organized to highlight the achievements of individuals, corporations and organizations that have dedicated themselves to social development in various fields such as local autonomy, social contribution and culture and the arts.
Choi Hee-am, chairperson of the KXO international tournament organizing committee, emphasized gratitude and a sense of responsibility in his acceptance remarks.
The chairperson said, “I am simply grateful. I feel a greater sense of responsibility as many people seem to recognize KXO’s efforts,” and added, “I think a good opportunity came because Korean basketball achieved excellent results at the recent Asian Games. KXO will also continue to work harder to promote the development of 3×3 basketball in Korea.”
Park Geon-yeon, chairman of KXO, expressed his intention to bolster the competitiveness of 3×3 basketball in Korea through hosting international tournaments.
The chairman said, “I feel that Korean basketball is gradually emerging from a slump,” and added, “KXO has raised its international standing over a long period by hosting the FIBA 3×3 Hongcheon Challenger. Next year, we will continue communications with FIBA as we have done and lay the groundwork for the development of 3×3 basketball in Korea.”
Shin Eun-seop, chairman of the Hongcheon County Sports Council, credited local sportspeople and county residents for the honor.
The chairman said, “I believe this award is a result created together by the executives and staff of the Hongcheon County Sports Council, sportspeople and county residents who worked together for the development of 3×3 basketball in Korea and sports in Hongcheon County.”
He continued, “The FIBA 3×3 Hongcheon Challenger, which has been held through national grant competitions for four consecutive years since 2023, concluded successfully again this year,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to strengthen Hongcheon County’s sports marketing through the Hongcheon Challenger, raise sports competitiveness, and contribute to improving residents’ health and revitalizing the local economy.”
Meanwhile, at this ceremony, director Jang Hang-jun of the film The King’s Warden, Jo Jae-ho, director of Olbarun Seoul Hospital, and Kim Eun-hye, basketball commentator for KBS N Sports, were also listed as awardees.
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