The Korean men's Olympic football team on Wednesday made a financial donation to their ailing former coach, the national football governing body said.

The Korea Football Association said the men's team, which will make their eighth consecutive Olympic appearance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, donated 30 million won ($25,700) to Lee Kwang-jong, who is undergoing treatment for an acute form of leukemia.

Lee, who had been coaching South Korean youth teams in different age groups since 2000, was appointed the U-23 football team head coach in November 2013, and delivered home the Asian Games gold the following year. However, he resigned from the post in February last year to undergo treatment for leukemia.

His vacancy was filled by Shin Tae-yong, an assistant to senior team boss Uli Stielike, the following month. Shin eventually led South Korea to qualify for the Rio Games and announced his 18-man squad last month.

Lee had coached core players on the final squad, such as Kwon Chang-hoon, Ryu Seung-woo and Moon Chang-jin. The 52-year-old is currently receiving treatment in Gangwon Province.

"I'm happy that the players whom I taught from youth teams are going to the Rio Games," Lee said. "I hope our players will show their best performance with confidence."

At the Rio Games, where 16 nations compete in the men's football tournament, South Korea have been paired with Fiji, Germany and Mexico in Group C. (Yonhap)