Jayce
On the 75th anniversary of the Royal Belgian Badminton Federation, President Bert Van Hoofbroeck reflects on the federation’s incredible journey from humble beginnings to its current status as a vibrant and thriving organization.
From the early days of hosting events in small halls at schools and community centers to now organizing international tournaments in modern sports centers with over 20 courts, the growth has been astonishing.
This progress would not have been possible without the efforts of countless volunteers. They have dedicated their time and energy to organizing numerous activities—ranging from club championships and inter-club matches to provincial youth cups, league championships, and national championships at all levels, including elite events, youth tournaments, senior events, disability badminton, and the Special Olympics.
We are proud to have hosted several prestigious international events, including the European Team Championships, Thomas Cup and Uber Cup qualifiers, European U17 Championships, and the Eurasia Cup, as well as an impressive Belgian International event this week, which is the largest European senior championship ever held. These milestones reflect the passion and dedication of the Belgian badminton community.
Over the past 15 years, our athletes have lived up to expectations by winning medals at various European and World Championships, demonstrating the resilience of Belgian badminton in an increasingly competitive sports environment. But it’s not just our athletes who have excelled; our volunteers, technical officials, and board members have also showcased their outstanding abilities on both national and international stages.
From serving as technical representatives at the Special Olympics World Games to being badminton volunteers at the recent Olympics, to becoming respected top referees, chief referees, and line judges, and even producing two European Badminton Federation Presidents, our federation has made significant contributions on the global stage.
As we celebrate these achievements, we eagerly anticipate the next 75 years with excitement and confidence, believing that our sport and the growing badminton community will continue to thrive and seize even greater opportunities.
