Badminton

Sudirman Cup Uber Cup Thomas Cup

THOMAS CUP
The Thomas Cup – “Men’s Team World Badminton Championship”, held every two years, is the most sought after men’s team trophy for badminton. Only three nations have won the Thomas Cup since its inception in 1948; Malaysia, Indonesia and China. Formerly known as 'The International Badminton Championship Challenge Cup', the silver-gilt trophy is usually referred to by its more familiar title of 'The Thomas Cup'.The Thomas Cup competition in 1948 was BWF’s first major international tournament. The trophy was donated by the first president of the world body, Sir George Thomas.
UBER CUP
The Uber Cup – “Women’s Team World Badminton Championship” - is the most sought after women’s team trophy in the badminton world. Only four nations have won the Uber Cup since its inception in 1956; the USA, Japan, Indonesia and China. The idea of an international team competition for women along the lines of the Thomas Cup contest was first mooted early in 1950 when the BWF (then known as IBF) received the offer of a trophy from Mrs H S Uber.Prompted by the enormous success of the men’s championships trophy for the Thomas Cup, there was strong interest in the idea and in 1953, the institution of the Championships was agreed upon in principle. Mrs. Uber's offer was gratefully accepted and regulations drawn up and approved for the event and it was agreed that the inaugural contest should take place over 1956-7
SUDIRMAN CUP
The Sudirman Cup - the World Team Championships - is held every two years and is one of the most prestigious titles for badminton. It is also the only BWF world event for men and women competing together in national teams.The event was first hosted in 1989 with 28 national teams. It now attracts more than 50 national teams. Only three nations have won the Sudirman Cup since its inception - Indonesia (1 - once), Korea (3 times) and China (6 times). The first Sudirman Cup tournament was played in Indonesia in 1989 and it became a biennial event with the first few competitions staged in conjunction with the World Championships.The idea of a mixed team event first came up during IBF Council meetings in 1986 and by 1988 the IBF had accepted and approved the regulations for the competition to be staged in conjunction with the World Individual Championships. The IBF accepted from the Badminton Association of Indonesia, a memorial to the late Dick Sudirman in the form of a cup to be known as the 'Sudirman Cup' and to be presented to the winners of the World Mixed Team Championship. Dick Sudirman, as well as being a long-serving member of IBF Council, first as a Councilor and then Vice-President, was known as the father of Indonesian badminton and was a champion player in his own right. He was a founder of Bulutangkis Seluruh Indonesia (PBSI - The Badminton Association of Indonesia) and served as its President for 22 years.By the 8th Sudirman Cup in the Netherlands (2003), the event had grown sufficiently in world stature for it to become a stand-alone tournament in the world badminton calendar. There is no prize money for this event - just the prestige of playing for ones country. In addition there are valuable BWF World Ranking points to be earned and this is particularly important for countries in the lower groups in an Olympic Qualifying period.