Referred as the father of sport management, Dr. Packianathan Chelladurai was one of the original faculty members of the DTM program until his retirement last year. We were extremely sad to see him leave the Dream Together Master program, but we congratulate him on his retirement and were wondering how he fared since his last visit to Korea.
How have you been doing while coping and adapting to this new season of retirement?
I am doing great. I do enjoy the retirement. It is really a carefree life. As I have also retired from Troy University, I do not have any regular work or commitments. I am sure that sooner or later, I would begin missing those regularly scheduled works/duties.
You were part of the DTM program since the beginning, and you watched the program grow for the past 8 years. What are your impressions of the program?
To me, the most striking thing about the DTM program is that it is part of the South Korean Government efforts to give back to the world after all the help it received during its rebuilding years. The Seoul National University is doing a great job of fulfilling that responsibility.
I was quite pleased how well the DTM Program was organized and managed. This was not a surprise to me because I had known that my friend Dr. Joon-ho Kang to be a great scholar and a quite successful manager. He has done a great job. I must also acknowledge Bryce’s contribution in taking care of the day-to-day operations.
Now, in retrospect, what do you think of the program?
The primary function of the DTM Program is to give back to the world is well-served by the way the students are recruited from the developing countries, and how well they are housed and taken care of while they are in South Korea. That these students will go back to their respective countries and serve them well is the lofty goal of the program, and I am confident that it is comprehensively achieved.
What do you miss most about the program?
Interacting with the foreign students is one of two things I miss most. The second thing I miss is the hospitality bestowed on me by the sport management unit of SNU.
As a scholar in sport management, what do you think of the current responses of the field of sport to the pandemic?
I am impressed with the way the sport industry is handling the problems created by the pandemic. Most of the leagues have banned or reduced the number of spectators at competitions to reduce the spread of the virus. In doing so, the leagues incur considerable financial losses.
How do you think the world of sport will adapt to this pandemic?
From time immemorial, humans have been fascinated with competitions. Despite all kinds of negative influences, humans had found ways of organizing competitions. I am sure that the craving for witnessing competitions will continue unabated, and thus, humans will find a way to organize competitions.
What do you think DTM must do and prepare in the midst of this pandemic?
The pandemic does not allow students and staff to assemble in close quarters. That does not prevent us from having online classes. But that option takes care of the teaching part of it. But as we all know, the benefits of DTM as it is organized now far outweigh the instructional component. I am afraid that those benefits will be lost when we adopt online classes.
What do you hope for yourself, DTM, and the world in the future?
As I am at the tail-end of my life, I am hoping for a peaceful end. But DTM will be growing stronger and will serve the world of sports greatly. In organizing and delivering the DTM program, the SNU is doing a great service for the global sports in general and global sport management in particular.
Any last words?
I must congratulate Dr. Joon-ho Kang and his assistants for having conceived of this project and implementing it so effectively. I wish them and the DTM continued successes in serving the global sports community.
We thank you for your time with us, and we will forever be grateful.
