The inaugural BWF President’s Medal to Thai King

President Dr. Kang, Young Joong of BWF bestowed the inaugural BWF President’s Medal on the elderly Thai King for his life time contribution. The President’s medal is a recently established Badminton World Federation Award of the highest caliber and this prestigious award had never been presented. It is given at the BWF President’s sole discretion to honor distinguished individuals who have made and exceptional contribution to Badminton.
“The President’s Medal is given to His Majesty the King for his exceptional contribution to badminton, worldwide and in particular in Thailand, and for his support to the exceptional achievements and contributions that Thailand has given to international badminton and to express our sincere appreciation for all His Majesty has done to promote badminton,” said Dr. Kang at a Press conference today in Bangkok.
The award was accepted by the Crown Prince at the Royal Palace in Bangkok on November 27nd, 2012. HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been continuously involved in badminton for more than half a century. His Majesty has played the game since 1953, and he granted royal patronage to the Badminton Association of Thailand in 1954. Moreover, he donated the King’s and the Queen’s Cups for the Best Singles Champions for both men and women.
“His influence and patronage have undoubtedly impacted the lives of many Thai players who have risen to be among the world’s elite, reaping rewards for themselves, their country and their beloved king.”


Citation

BWF President’s Medal

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand


The President’s medal is a recently established Badminton World Federation Award of the highest calibre.
It is given at the BWF President’s sole discretion to honour distinguished individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to badminton.

This prestigious Award has so far never been presented. For some time the BWF President has been looking for a suitable personality to receive the first ever BWF President’s Medal ? until today.

Indeed, today the first President’s Medal is presented to a very special person, in the way this Award was intended and conceived by BWF.

The first BWF President’s medal will today be presented by BWF President, Dr. Kang Young Joong, to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand - for a lifetime as an ardent protector and an enthusiastic supporter of Badminton.

The President’s Medal is given to HM the King for his exceptional contribution to badminton, worldwide and in particular in Thailand, and for his support to the exceptional achievements and contributions that Thailand has given to international badminton.

HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been continuously involved in badminton for more than half a century. His Majesty has played the game since 1953, and he granted royal patronage to the Badminton Association of Thailand in 1954.

Moreover, he donated the King’s and the Queen’s Cups for the Best Singles Champions for both men and women ? significantly elevating the status of Thai badminton at an appropriate time. His Majesty said time and time again that the game of badminton was suitable for the Thai athletes ? believing strongly that Thais could use their agility to overcome physical disadvantages and excel in the world arena, providing they were given proper support.

His Majesty converted a multi-purpose hall at the Royal Palace into a badminton court and played there three or four times a week, summoning a few national players as well as some state officials to play regularly with him in the Palace.

From then on Thai badminton escalated onto a new frontier. Thailand became the Thomas Cup Asian Zone winner in 1957 and the world finalist in 1958. The Straits Times commented that the secret weapon behind the Thai badminton success was the King and Queen of Thailand, who directly boosted the morale of the Thai team.

In 1958, His Majesty granted a personal scholarship to one of the pioneers of badminton, Charoen Wattanasin to further his studies in England. Subsequently Charoen became a faithful servant to the IBF/BWF as a Council Member and later Vice President from 1974 to 2005, and also a faithful servant to Thai badminton continuously for now more than 50 years.

In 2002, His Majesty recommended the Siam Cement Group to support the Badminton Association of Thailand in a comprehensive way, and since then Thai players have captured several top badminton titles and progressed much on the BWF world ranking lists. Without the kind patronage of His Majesty the King, Thai badminton would never have been what it is today.

All this proves beyond any doubt the love of His Majesty towards the game of badminton throughout all these years.

It is well known worldwide that HM the King of Thailand is the longest ruling Monarch of the world. It may also be known that he is the longest ever ruling Monarch of Thailand. Let it now be known that HM the King of Thailand is the Monarch who more than any other is involved in and supports the game of badminton.

For these reasons BWF and President, Dr. Kang Young Joong is proud to present the first ever BWF President’s Medal to HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

Link to BWF Website (http://bwfbadminton.org/news_item.aspx?id=68627)