Games in 1992. Badminton is also chosen becoming badminton’s ‘golden couple’. They 5 JULY 1934 1956 1977 1981 as a demonstration sport for the Seoul win the singles gold medals – the first Olympic THE INTERNATIONAL Badminton The World Women’s Team Championships First World Championships held in Malmo, Re-unification is successful as WBF merges Federation is founded. The Badminton Olympic Games in 1988. medals for Indonesia in any sport. Meanwhile, for the Uber Cup is proposed by England’s Sweden. Denmark dominates with three titles, with IBF. China enters the IBF fold and Association (forerunner to today’s including Flemming Delfs and Lene Koppen makes an impact at the inaugural World the World Junior Championships are started. BADMINTONEngland) convenes a meeting Betty Uber. Eleven nations compete in the as singles champions. Games, winning four of five titles. 1989 of national associations. Delegates from first edition, with USA emerging victorious World Team Badminton Championships for Canada, Denmark, England, France, over Denmark 6-1 in Lancashire, England. Sudirman Cup held in Jakarta alongside the 1996 Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, 1978 Mixed Doubles added to badminton’s 1984 individual World Championships. Cup Scotland and Wales approve the proposal A breakaway group emerges in IBF over the Thomas and Uber Cup tournaments take Olympic programme and bronze medal issue of China’s recognition. The World named in honour of PBSI founder, Dick for a world body. 1962 place simultaneously for the first time; format play-offs are introduced. Badminton debuts at the fourth Asian Badminton Federation (WBF) is formed. reduced from best-of-nine to best-of-five Sudirman. 1948-1949 Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. The hosts matches. The World Men’s Team Championships for pocket three of the four titles (Mixed 1979 2003 the Thomas Cup, proposed by legendary 1992 Sudirman Cup becomes a stand-alone event. Doubles added in the next Asian Games). First prize-money tournament – Friends’ Historic year as badminton joins the player and administrator Sir George Provident Masters – staged at Albert Hall, 1985 On 5 June in East Berlin, the International Olympic Games programme at the Thomas, takes off with ten nations London, heralding the era of professional competing in the first event. Malaya wins the Olympic Committee (IOC) accepts Barcelona Olympic Games. Four events are 2005 1972 badminton. Champions Prakash Padukone held with Indonesia’s Allan Budikusuma and In June, the headquarters of IBF moves from final 8-1 over Denmark in Preston, England, Badminton played as an exhibition sport in (India) and Lene Koppen win princely sums of badminton as a full Olympic sport to be Susi Susanti (now husband and wife) Cheltenham, UK, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. in 1949. the Olympic Games in Munich. GBP 3,000 each! played officially in the Barcelona Olympic SHUTTLING THROUGH 80 YEARS 1989 1992 2014 2013 2013 2013 1956 2011 1948 1977 1949 1992 2011 Finals, with only the top eight players invited. players to compete in them. In June, BWF contracted to provide IRS services). Lee China and Chery became Major Events 2006 It’s renamed BWF World Superseries Finals 2013 Chong Wei makes historic first challenge – sponsors until 2016 while IMG Media also Revolutionary change in scoring system as becomes the international federation The BWF membership elects a new Council successfully! Meanwhile, Monaco becomes agreed a four-year contract (2014-2017) for in 2009. responsible for para-badminton. and new President, Poul-Erik Høyer of IBF introduces a new rally points system of BWF’s 180th member. the centralised media rights of BWF Major BadmintonWorld.TV – BWF’s online channel – Denmark – Men’s Singles champion at the 21x3 at the Thomas & Uber Cup qualifiers in Events, BWF World Superseries and the new Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. He succeeds February 2006. The Council meeting in May 2011 is launched in August and gains quick BWF Grand Prix Gold series. The Star Dr. Kang Young Joong of Korea. A record 2014 approves the new system. The International BWF schools’ badminton programme – popularity, currently boasting more than 60 The 126th IOC Session in Sochi, Russia, Australian Badminton Open makes Oceania six women attain seats on the Council. Badminton Federation is re-christened the Shuttle Time – starts in Tonga, training confirms BWF President, Poul-Erik Høyer as the third host confederation in the MetLife million views and featuring more than 2,500 China’s Lin Dan claims an unprecedented Badminton World Federation (BWF). an IOC Member. The President joins two BWF World Superseries. teachers and coaches how to introduce safe videos on tournaments, players, fifth BWF World Championship while other BWF Council colleagues who have this and fun badminton to children. Shuttle Time para-badminton, Shuttle Time, coaching and Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand becomes the honour Li Lingwei (2012) and Dagmawit 2007 youngest singles World champion at age 18, APRIL 2014 is now in more than 65 countries across all sponsorship-related promotions. Girmay Berhane (2013). BWF and the Dubai Sports Council announce A World Superseries circuit is announced, wresting the women’s title. encompassing the most prestigious five continents. The latest is Shuttle Time a partnership to host the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals in the emirate tournaments internationally. Dubai which was launched this week. 2012 2014 2013 Era of significant growth in commercial from 2014 to 2017 and to launch, Shuttle Time BWF unveils a new logo to reflect its modern The instant review system debuts at the partnerships. Global insurance company, Dubai, in schools and clubs to develop brand identity – contemporary, strong and BWF World Superseries Finals in Kuala 2011 MetLife, signs as title sponsor for BWF World badminton. 2008 Lumpur in December, helping players and Introduction of the year-ending Superseries Five Superseries events given Premier efficient – with the letters set in a ‘holding Superseries for four years (2014-2017). officials use technology for more accurate finale called the BWF Superseries Masters MetLife was preceded by healthy-lifestyles status and it becomes mandatory for top device’ in the shape of a stylised shuttle. line calls (in early 2014, Hawk-Eye 5 JULY 2014 brand, OSIM. In 2013, Li-Ning, RedBull Happy 80th Birthday, BWF! BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org bwfbadminton bwfmedia.