At the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Royal Belgian Badminton Federation, Bert Vanhorenbeeck, president of the RBBF reflects on the incredible journey that has brought the federation from humble beginnings to the thriving, dynamic community they are today.
From the small halls in schools and community centers where the first games were played, to the modern sports complexes with over 20 courts that now host international events, the growth has been nothing short of extraordinary.
This progress would not have been possible without the countless volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to organizing an endless number of events—from club championships and interclub competitions to interprovincial youth cups, league championships, and national championships for all levels, including elite, juniors, seniors, para badminton, and the Special Olympics.
We have proudly hosted prestigious international events, including the European Team Championships, Thomas and Uber Cup preliminaries, the European U17 Championships, and the Europe-Asia Cup and of course an outstanding Belgian International, with this week marking the largest European Senior Championships ever. Each of these milestones is a testament to the passion and dedication of the Belgian badminton community.
In the last 15 years, we have seen our athletes rise to the occasion, bringing home medals from various European and World Championships, demonstrating the resilience of Belgian badminton in an increasingly competitive sporting environment. But it is not just our athletes who have stepped up—our volunteers, technical officials, and board members have also shown their excellent capabilities at both national and international levels.
From serving as a technical delegate at the World Special Olympics or being a volunteer at the recent Olympics for Badminton to being respected top referees, umpires, and line judges, and even producing two presidents for Badminton Europe, our federation has made a significant contribution on the global stage.
As we celebrate these achievements, we also look forward to the next 75 years with anticipation and excitement, confident that the future holds even greater opportunities for our sport and our growing badminton community.
Badminton Europe congratulates the Royal Belgian Badminton Federation on its 75th anniversary - on the countless inspiring achievements and on the even greater successes lying ahead.