Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Sudirman Cup is the world mixed doubles championship badminton taken from the name Dick Sudirman. Who is Dick Sudirman?
Sudirman is one of the figures who have an important role in the development of badminton in Indonesia. Quoted from the History of Indonesian Badminton, Sudirman was born in Pematang Siantar, April 29, 1922.
Sudirman was active as a badminton player and regularly won during the Japanese occupation. Sudirman then formed PB Bakti and continued to be the Chairman of Perbad (Persatoean Badminton Djakarta).
Sudirman then became Chairman of PBSI in 1952. Under Sudirman’s leadership, PBSI became an organization that not only regulates badminton championships at the national level.
Indonesia began to try to talk a lot at the international level. Indonesia then shocked the world with a victory in the 1958 Thomas Cup.
The victory in the 1958 Thomas Cup was the starting point for Indonesia to be recognized as a world badminton power. Indonesia regularly won the Thomas Cup, as well as the Uber Cup, and the All England which at that time was considered the ‘Unofficial World Championship’.
Sudirman’s gait is not only limited to the national level. Sudirman also has a name and reputation at the world level.
Sudirman, together with Suharso Suhandinata, were the vital figures that brought the two world badminton federations, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) and the World Badminton Federation (WBF) together in 1981. The lobbying process for the union of the two federations has been going on since 1979.
The split of the badminton federation into two cannot be separated from the political affairs of several countries which then spread to sports.
The feud had occurred in the decade of the 70s as China wanted to become a member of the IBF. But China asked for Taiwan to be expelled.
China itself managed to enter the Asia Badminton Confederation (ABC) and successfully removed Taiwan as a member.
The tension was seen when the Asian Invitation Championship was held in 1976 at the same time as the All England. Indonesia has a special position because it can take part in the Asian Invitation Championship without sacrificing participation in the All England like other Asian countries. Indonesia divided the forces sent at that time.
In an emergency session in London 1977, the proposal to remove Taiwan as a member was again discussed. The majority of IBF members again refused. The day after the IBF’s rejection came the declaration of the WBF as a rival organization.
Two years later, Indonesia held a meeting at the Borobudur Hotel which was attended by representatives of the IBF and WBF. Sudirman and Suharso Suhandinata had a big role in holding the meeting.
In 1981, WBF and IBF finally merged into one under the IBF flag.
Sudirman was offered the position of Chairman of the IBF in 1981 but it was rejected because his main goal being active was only for badminton, not position and position.
Sudirman served as Chairman of PBSI in 1952-1963 and continued from 1967-1981. Sudirman also became Deputy Chairman of the IBF in 1975-1983.
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Commemorating Sudirman Service
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