Yosef (Jeff) Geffen, the founder of Badminton in Israel, has passed away. He was 95 years old when he died.
Jeff immigrated to Israel in 1961 from South Africa together with his wife Deborah and his two children, Yehudit and Yoel. Upon immigrating to Israel, the Geffen family settled in the city of Ashdod.
Jeff, a pharmacist by profession, loved and practiced sports all his life. In South Africa, it was mostly rugby.
The Badminton activity in Ashdod began at the end of 1967 when one of his neighbours received a badminton set to play outside. The neighbours started playing on the lawn on the weekends under the guidance of two other neighbours who played badminton abroad before immigrating to Israel.
As a result of the players' enthusiasm, Jeff approached the chairman of Maccabi Ashdod at the time, and he received permission to play in Maccabi's home — the first sports hall in Ashdod — in early 1968. Players joined the club — some who played in India and some who once played tennis, and children were also taken in.
And that's how Jeff Geffen's badminton devotion was actually built. From here, Badminton in Israel began to spread.
Along with his national activities, Jeff attached great importance to the development of international relations. Many times Jeff turned to his friend Mr. Emile ter Metz, who held senior positions in the International Badminton Federation (IBF) and the European Badminton Union (EBU).
In 1977, at the same time as the participation of two Israeli players in the World Championship, Jeff took part in the meeting of the IBF member countries and managed to convince Israel to join the ranks of the organisation, and following Israel's accession to the European Union, which would give Israel the right to participate in the European competition such as La Plume D'or.
Jeff loved playing badminton at the club together with his wife Deborah and would come to serve until the age of 92.
Jeff's contribution to badminton in Israel will never be forgotten.
