Badminton Europe was saddened to hear the news of John Hansen’s passing this morning. 

John Hansen was an educated instructor, coach and umpire, and quickly achieved international status. He even umpired a semi-final at the World Championships in Malmö, Sweden, in 1977. 

He was elected into the tournament committee and later the players’ committee for the Danish federation in the 70’s. He travelled with the players to Asia where he quickly compiled an impressive contact network. 

Hansen worked for many years as Danish senior manager at All England, if he was not to be found in the umpire chair. He is a part of world badminton history as he is the only person who has been involved in the organization of four World Championships. All four of them hosted on Danish ground with John in the top of the leadership.

He was the man behind Copenhagen Masters, an invitation tournament organized between Christmas and New Year’s in the Danish capital of Copenhagen. 

During his lifetime Hansen became an honorary member of Odense Badminton Club, the badminton association of Funen (Badminton Fyn), Badminton Denmark and the Badminton World Federation. 

Badminton Denmark informed on their website that the funeral service of John Hansen will take place at the church of Uggerslev (Uggerslev Kirke) on Saturday 27 January at 13:00 PM.

Badminton Europe sends its condolences to the friends and family of John Hansen.