Q. The players are suffering from the rushed schedule. Was there sufficient negotiations between KeSPA and each team regarding player selection and the training camp schedule? How will you keep the players in peak condition, and how will you protect the candidates not chosen?Kkoma: I refused to participate in evaluation matches as soon as I became the national team head coach. There's MSI, summer, regional finals, and the Asian Games preliminaries, and MSI in particular is a reward for playing well, not a forced draft. As the head coach, I counselled against having an evaluation match, as it would make the schedule more of a burden. In the current situation I also said the best course of action was to shorten the training camp duration. I was only informed about the match cancellation the day it was cancelled. As head coach, I advised that the players be returned to their teams as quickly as possible. I tried to provide as much rest and personal free time as I could to the players.
[3:04 PM]Q. LoL seems to require subs in each position, as every position plays a different role. Why is the final roster only including 1 sub?Kespa: We receive the entry slots from the Asian Games Committee, and therefore that is not the head coach's decision to make.
[3:06 PM]Q. As controversy arose, many urged the head coach to speak out. What do you have to say about this?Kkoma: I told KeSPA that the schedule was too harsh. All teams schedule their sponsor photoshoots in the off-season. To tell the truth, I was frustrated on what I was supposed to do in order to stop this. I didn't know if I was to open up on SNS, or act on my own. This press conference was also something I demanded. I would like advice on what the best course of action would be.
[3:11 PM]Q. How much is the head coach's decisions reflected in the training manual?Kkoma: In the case of selecting the final roster directly and training them, it's easy to apply existing training methods, but choosing 6 among 10 candidates is very difficult. I've worked with a 10-man roster before, and in the case of a 5~6-man roster, it is very difficult to assess individual ability. There are too many variables when pitting 5 against 5, and players' daily conditions constantly fluctuate. I think it is a challenging task to determine good players quickly, as LoL is a team game. If the roster is fixed, I can adjust accordingly to their team schedules and specific traits. I have advised KeSPA that player performance for Spring split is the most important criterion in player selection.
[3:13 PM]Q. Then was KeSPA's goal and methodology different from yours?Kkoma: Yes. I told them that evaluating players over the course of one week was too difficult. I kept quiet during the process because it had already started, and since all the players were here because they wanted to (represent the country), I thought I should speak out after the camp ended.
[3:17 PM]Q. KeSPA announced the criteria for player selection, but they seem to be too vague. Everyone agrees that Spring split takes priority. Many therefore anticipated that T1 members would be picked, but aren't the evaluation matches taking place to cater (to the higher-ups who disagree)?Kkoma: I too think that Spring split performance and stats are important. There are too many things to consider when evaluating players. My personal priority is spring stats. Using only the data gained from the training camp will be too inconclusive. I won't say that data collected short-term isn't useless, but I would prioritize spring split data because of how variable (player performance) is.
[3:17 PM]Q. So you disagreed with KeSPA's training schedule?Kkoma: Yes, I did. I have received comments that I should have stopped it beforehand, but I don't know how I was supposed to.
[3:19 PM]Q. We are curious about the bootcamp environment and training progress.Kkoma: When the evaluation matches were cancelled, I decided that I shouldn't give up and try my best. The players rested on Monday, and on Tuesday, we had a scrim session because we couldn't just waste our time. I tried my best to make the most of what time was given to me. My best course of action was to continue to urge (KeSPA) to cancel the bootcamp.
[3:20 PM]Q. You learned of the match cancellation on Monday. How did the players react to this?Kkoma: As I must be impartial to the players, I did not go into deep conversations individually, so I cannot explain what the players thought about it.
[3:22 PM]Q. You were against the training schedule and the 10-man roster. What are the boundaries of your authority?Kkoma: I evaluate the players and report my findings to KeSPA. I personally am regretful that this process could not be publicly aired.
[3:23 PM]Q. Some opinions argue that the sub-committee members must be announced to the public. What do you think about this?Kkoma: It's not something I can remark on. Please ask KeSPA about it.
[3:23 PM]Q. So to what extent are you authorized to do, as a head coach?Kkoma: My role is to evaluate and report the evaluations.
[3:23 PM]Q. What about during the main event?Kkoma: I think I'll be in charge of all in-game issues.
[3:26 PM]Q. Then there hasn't been anything decided about the main event?Kkoma: I'm in charge of in-game decision making, such as pickbans. I think the relevant issue is selecting players, but I offered my help in strategy. I intentionally delayed choosing the coaches, as I wanted to choose coaches who would have synergy with the players. KeSPA: It is not mandatory to submit a roster for the coaching staff. We will discuss whether coaches are allowed on stage with the Asian Games Committee.
[3:27 PM]Q. How many coaches are you thinking of?Kkoma: I will immediately select coaches as soon as the roster is finalized. KeSPA has said the more coaches, the better, but I think we need to talk about that later.
[3:29 PM]Q. Why exactly were the evaluation matches held in Gwangju?Kkoma: I was informed of that decision before I accepted the head coach position. I was late in accepting because of the travel to Gwangju. I persistently told KeSPA that I was against it.
[3:30 PM]Q. Is there anything you would request of KeSPA regarding the upcoming scheduling?Kkoma: The busiest period is right before MSI. After MSI, it's Summer and then the Asian Games. The preliminaries haven't even been fixed. If the 6-man roster was finalized, I think this wouldn't have been a problem. My most prominent problem is that I have to quickly evaluate a 10-man roster.
[3:31 PM]Q. Do you think it is better to quickly finalize a 6-man roster?Kkoma: Yes, as soon as possible.
[3:32 PM]Q. I believe the head coach's opinion is of paramount importance when choosing a roster. What do you think of this?Kkoma: It's a hard question. As we are heading to Asian Games representing our country, I might make a mistake, and what other say might be the right decision, so it is difficult to form the roster by myself.
[3:33 PM]Q. Then wouldn't T1 form the majority of the roster, as public opinion seems to think?Kkoma: I'm the head coach of the national team, but even I am frustrated on how to solve this. I am constantly talking with KeSPA regarding player selection, but if this continues, then next time - (cut off)
[3:34 PM]Q. You seem to be in contact with KeSPA frequently, who are you talking to and how?Kkoma: I will only say KeSPA.
[3:35 PM]Q. How did the sub-committee decide on the current training schedule?Kkoma: I will only say I have been talking with KeSPA.KeSPA: That is something we should announce, please inquire about it with us later.
[3:36 PM]Q. What was the most (personally) frustrating moment regarding this issue?Kkoma: I keep thinking of when I denied to do an interview. There was an interview request after I accepted the head coach position, but I refused. It was because I had nothing to say other than I would try my best. This is my first time as a national team head coach, I am unsure how to communicate myself.
[3:37 PM]Q. With the cancellation of the boot camp, the criteria for player selection must be reconsidered. What are your thoughts on this?Kkoma: I have already explained my stance on player selection and on how to regard individual data.
[3:38 PM]Q. Your ultimate goal is to win a Gold medal. What do you wish from the public?Kkoma: Nothing, I know that if we try our best, they will see us in a good light. All the players are working hard, please root for them.
[3:40 PM]Q. Do you have anything else to add for this press conference?Kkoma: I don't have a lot to ask as a head coach. There are things that each person must do, and my job is to manage well. I know I am called "Recorded Message". I have always tried to speak carefully in order to protect my players. I will always speak out if any harm befalls a player. I was the one to first ask for this press conference. If I can't solve these issues, I believe I have no right to lead the national team as their head coach.