Coway Receives Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation for Supporting Wheelchair Basketball Team 'Bluewheels'

by Choi Hokyung

Published 09 Mar.2026 11:15(KST)

Support Including Recognition of Training Hours as Work and Salary Payment

Coway announced on March 9 that it had received a commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in recognition of its contributions to the promotion and development of sports for the disabled through the operation of the wheelchair basketball team, the Coway Bluewheels.

On March 5, Ahn Byungtae, President of the Korea Wheelchair Basketball Federation, visited the Coway Bluewheels practice gym in Namyangju and presented the commendation to Kim Youngmu, head coach of the Coway Bluewheels, on behalf of Coway. According to Coway, this ministerial commendation is significant as it officially acknowledges the company's ongoing efforts to support sports for the disabled and realize social value.

The Coway Bluewheels team is taking a commemorative photo at the Award Ceremony hosted by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the 5th. Coway

In 2022, Coway established the Coway Bluewheels as the only wheelchair basketball team among domestic professional teams to be operated by a private company. Since then, Coway has provided comprehensive support, including sports equipment, training facilities, and welfare, enabling athletes to focus on training and competition in a stable environment. In particular, Coway has put in place practical policies such as recognizing training hours as work hours and paying salaries, thereby helping to create a stable foundation for athletes with disabilities.

Based on such support, the Coway Bluewheels have consistently delivered outstanding results in various tournaments and leagues, establishing themselves as a top-tier team in Korea. The team has achieved a total of 11 championship titles, including victories in the Wheelchair Basketball League Championship and the Asia-Oceania Club Exchange Tournament. Notably, in both 2024 and 2025, they swept major domestic tournaments, achieving a grand slam for two consecutive years.

A Coway official stated, "We will continue to provide multifaceted support to ensure that our athletes can perform at their best in a stable environment."