Kookmin University has joined with the International Sport Strategy Foundation and Olympic Council of Asia to launch the Asian Olympic Academy ©Kookmin University

More plans for the new Asian Olympic Academy (AOA) were announced at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly here today.

The OCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last month with two partners for the establishment of the AOA in South Korea.

The Seoul-based International Sport Strategy Foundation (ISF) and the prestigious Kookmin University, also based in the South Korean capital, unveiled more details of the academic initiative.

It is designed promote education within the Asian Olympic Movement, offering a series of courses and qualifications to athletes preparing for life after their careers end and officials.

Among the initiatives it was revealed that a new headquarters for the AOA is due to be completed next month.

A new AOA building is planned for completion in 2025.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed last month between the Asian Olympic Academy and the Olympic Council of Asia ©OCA
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed last month between the Asian Olympic Academy and the Olympic Council of Asia ©OCA

That is set to be followed by an international graduate school for the AOA in 2028.

The ISF is chaired by former table tennis player Ryu Seung-min, winner of three Olympic medals, including a gold in the men’s singles at Athens 2004.

Seung-min is now a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Kookmin University, the first private university in South Korea following the country’s liberation from Japan in 1946, consists of 14 undergraduate colleges, several postgraduate schools and 10 professional schools.

Working as part of the project is Abdulla Musfir Al-Hayyan, President of the International Swimming Federation Legal Committee and associate professor of law at Kuwait University.