Latest update 05-04-00 18:09:27

Thomas & Uber Cup - Badminton

Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Hong Kong - 15-24. maj 1998

History

Thomas Cup

• The official name of Thomas Cup: The International Badminton Championship Challenge Cup
• In 1939 the idea for a such tournament arose but because of World War II the first Thomas Cup was postponed til 1948, in Preston, England.
• The trophy was donated by Sir George Alan Thomas, Bart, former IBF President, and named after him.
• In the beginning the tournament took place every third year, but now every second year.
• The final stage in 1998 celebrated two anniversaries: It was 20. time the tournament took place and 50 years since it toook place for the first time.

The Thomas Cup trophy was made by Atkin Bros of London and rewarded for the first time 3 July 1940, a year after Sir George Alan Thomas donated it.
The trophy is silverplated, 28 inches high and 16 inches wide andles included. The tropy is in three parts: a plinth, a bowl and a lid. On top of the lid is a figure of a player. On the back of the bowl and on the plinth the winning names are printed.

• Counterpart to Thomas Cup.
• The idea was formed by New Zealand in 1950 and the trophy was donated by Betty Uber, a former british champion.
  
• Tournament takes place every second year, parallel with Thomas Cup.

Trophy was made by one of Londons most significant silversmiths , Mappin & Webb.
The 20 inch high trophy is considered to be the most beautiful within badminton.: It's a rotating globe on top of a plinth. On top is a female player standing on a shuttle.