General

(Photo: Badmintonphoto)
Torsten Berg awarded with the BWF Honorary Life Vice President title
Date: 5/16/2022 9:02 AM
Published by : Sara Gonzalez Martinez
A key figure in the history of European and international badminton, Torsten Berg, former Badminton Europe (at the time European Badminton Union) President, has been awarded BWF’s most prestigious title.

To truly appreciate and understand badminton, we need to celebrate those who have shaped and improved the sport throughout its history. A key person in the development of badminton not just in Europe, but in the world, is Torsten Berg.

In recognition to his enormous contributions, Berg has been awarded titles such as Badminton Denmark's Badge of Honor in 1983, Badminton Europe Honorary Vice President in 2006, BWF's Herbert Scheele Trophy in 2011, amongst others. This year, he has received the Badminton World Federation’s most prestigious title, the BWF Honorary Life Vice President.

- Of course, I am very, very happy about that. That my work through so many years was recognised by the fact that they clapped for me for a long time at the Annual Meeting was a great experience for me to have. It is a great pleasure for me to be part of an exclusive small group that has so far received the title, Badminton Europe’s President from 1992 to 2004 said.

A great advocate for the development of the sport
A living legend of our sport, Berg was in attendance at the BWF Annual General Meeting 2022 that was held on 7 May in Bangkok. Fellow Dane Poul-Erik Høyer, President of BWF, presented the award to Torsten Berg as well as to Malaysia’s Dato Lim Teong Kiat. 

- Torsten and Dato have served BWF and the badminton community with great passion, and they have contributed to the sport's significant growth. I thank them for their fantastic work, and I am glad that we have been able to honour them this weekend, Høyer stated.

Tom Bacher, another former Badminton Europe President, is the only Dane who has previously received the title, back in 2012. Torsten Berg’s lifelong commitment to badminton is remarkable, having started coaching in Denmark when still a junior player and after a career as a professional player, the Dane then went on to push for the development of the sport from different positions. 

His countless accomplishments include being a strong supporter of para badminton, advocating for women’s equality in the sport, being one of the leading figures of modern refereeing, and establishing Badminton Europe’s strongest event, the Summer School, together with Martin Andersen in 1984.

In the Confederation, Berg has contributed Chairman of the Development Committee and Member of the EBU Council and later as Vice President and President of the then called European Badminton Union. Furthermore he was the President when the Confederation moved its headquarter to Denmark where it has had its base since 2003.

Amongst all his achievements, Berg has been awarded the title on the basis of these points:

  • 28 years in the BWF Council (1985-2013)
  • BWF Vice President (Representative for Europe) (2002-2013)
  • has been part of seven different committees - two of them as chairman
  • great advocate of para badminton and women's equality in the sport
  • owner of DIF's badges of honour, Badminton Denmark's badges of honour and of the Herbert Scheele Trophy, which is awarded by BWF's Council and is given in recognition of an exceptional, lifelong support and work for the sport of badminton

Badminton Europe would like to congratulate Torsten Berg for this major title and for his lifelong and continued work and support in the sport.
©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

Related news
27/03/2024
EOC Executive Committee awards 2027 European Games to Istanbul
The European Olympic Committee...

27/03/2024
Madrid Spain Masters day 2: Victories, upsets, and excitement on court.
French siblings sweep to victo...

26/03/2024
A first action-packed day unfolds at the Spain Masters
The Madrid Spain Masters 2024 ...

26/03/2024
Spain Masters begins today with an unexpected withdrawal!
Madrid is buzzing with excitem...

25/03/2024
Lane/ Vendy and Marin, victorious at Swiss Open
The Swiss Open concluded this ...

24/03/2024
Marin and Lane/Vendy secure finalist spots at the Swiss Open
The semifinals have concluded ...

More news