Badminton Europe (BEC) hosted its annual awards ceremony, the BEC Awards Gala, on April 16, 2016, in the picturesque setting of Podcetrtek, Slovenia. The event was attended by over 100 individuals, including EUSA Secretary General Mr. Matjaz Pecovnik, who was invited by BEC to participate. This prestigious gathering came after the BEC Members’ Forum and the Annual Delegates’ Meeting, where a new board was elected, with Mr. Gregory Verpoorten being re-elected as BEC President.
The elegant Congress Hall of Terme-Olimia Hotel provided the perfect backdrop for the evening’s festivities. The ceremony honored the top-performing players, coaches, and technical officials from across Europe who had excelled throughout the previous year. The highlight of the evening was the induction of the fourth member into the Badminton Europe Hall-Of-Fame.
Celebrating Achievements and Recognizing Legends
The 2015 European Award Winners were celebrated for their outstanding contributions to the sport. Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen were crowned Male Player of the Year, while Carolina Marin received the prestigious Female Player of the Year award. Anders Antonsen was recognized as the European Young Player of the Year, showcasing the bright future of European badminton. Bartlomiej Mroz earned the Para-Badminton Player of the Year award, demonstrating the inclusivity of the sport. Gitte Sommer was honored as the Senior Player of the Year, highlighting the commitment and longevity of these athletes.
The Women in Badminton Award went to Carolina Marin for her dedication and achievements, while Fernando Rivas was named Coach of the Year for his exceptional coaching skills. Ernest Robinson received the Technical Official of the Year award for his contributions to the smooth running of tournaments.
The evening culminated with the induction of Badminton Legend Morten Frost from Denmark into the BEC Hall Of Fame. This prestigious honor recognized his unparalleled contributions to the sport, solidifying his place in badminton history.
A Night of Collaboration and Future Planning
During his stay in Podcetrtek, Mr. Pecovnik engaged in discussions with the BEC President and Secretary General, exploring future collaborative efforts between BEC and EUSA. This collaboration was further solidified by the cooperation agreement signed last year. Mr. Pecovnik also met with Presidents of National Badminton Federations, aiming to secure hosting opportunities for upcoming EUSA events. Badminton is featured in the program of the European Universities Games in Zagreb-Rijeka 2016, Coimbra 2018, and Belgrade 2020. The 2017 European Universities Badminton Championship will be hosted in Ljubljana.
As the night drew to a close, BEC President Mr. Verpoorten announced Prague (Czech Republic) as the host city of the 2017 BEC Congress. This momentous occasion will mark the 50th Anniversary of Badminton Europe and will be a celebration of the sport’s legacy and its bright future. For further details about the event and Badminton Europe, please visit www.badmintoneurope.com.
