Talk at the weekend with Karl-Heinz Zwiebler
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“We are a badminton family”
Karl-Heinz Zwiebler has been honored for his many years of work in badminton.
Photo: Benjamin Westhoff
Interview Although he was very successful in sport both nationally and internationally, humility and humility are among his most important qualities. Karl-Heinz Zwiebler, who has given face and voice to the German badminton sport, but above all to the Beueler badminton sport for almost 50 years, has now been awarded the plaque of honor by the German Badminton Association (DBV).
After 30 years of association work, many years in youth work, most recently twelve years as DBV vice-president, Karl-Heinz Zwiebler has mainly taken care of popular sport. At the most recent association meeting, he no longer stood for the presidium. Holger Willcke spoke to Zwiebler.
Mr. Zwiebler, what was the decisive factor in your decision?
Karl-Heinz Zwiebler: I am very grateful for the experience I was able to gain as a sports official, but everything has its time. I will be 70 years old in 2021 – a good time to retire from functionaries and to entrust the various tasks to younger people.
Farewell and honor in Corona times were certainly impersonal – right?
Onion: No, the DBV had really come up with something very nice. While I was watching the association day in front of the computer, the doorbell rang at our front door. Suddenly my long-time double partner, honorary chairman of the 1st BC Beuel and friend Roland Maywald was behind me. He then presented me with a plaque and certificate. That touched me.
What areas of activity did you take care of as Vice President?
Onion: Under the umbrella term mass sport, handicapped sport, mass sport, women’s sport, commercial badminton center and, most importantly, school sport gathered. I had numerous colleagues for each area of responsibility – without the entire team I would not have been able to do this diverse work.
What kind of genes do you need to be able to dedicate yourself to a sport for so long?
Onion: I can’t answer the question very seriously, but you certainly have to be a bit crazy and have the heart and soul to be able to meet all requirements as much as possible. But private constellations have never made the decision difficult for me. We are a badminton family and a lot came about by itself.
Was that the foundation for your children’s badminton careers?
Onion: Yes, they were with us in the halls from childhood and we played with them a lot. Therefore, they were very successful at a young age and had fun and enjoy the badminton sport themselves.
Have you always played at the 1st BC Beuel?
Onion: No. I learned my first strokes at the DJK Don Bosco Beuel. I won my first important title in 1969 with Manfred Huhn at the German championships in young doubles. Two years later I switched to 1. BC Beuel, which was already very successful at the time and was one of the clubs that were allowed to start in the newly founded 1. Bundesliga in 1971.
The enthusiasm for the badminton sport is unbroken throughout Germany. How do you explain that?
Onion: Badminton is suitable for all ages and women and men can practice this sport together. In addition, the equipment is not that expensive. Badminton is also ideally suited as a school sport, as you can quickly experience success – and this is especially important for children and young people so that they are motivated to keep playing.
Roland Maywald handed over the chairmanship of the 1st BC Beuel this year. You also step less now. Is the Maywald / Zwiebler era ending now?
Onion: Not quite, because Roland Maywald is now honorary chairman of the 1st BC Beuel and continues to be involved in the work of the board. We will both still be active as coaches for the club. As long as we stay healthy, we don’t put the clubs down. I will be happy to help out in one of the lower teams if necessary in the future.
Onion: On my bike, I prefer to ride my racing bike through the Siebengebirge or the Eifel. If possible, I go to the hall once a week to play doubles in an “oldie group”.
With the carnival in Beuel, her wife still had a second, very important mainstay. How do you feel about carnival?
Onion: I always liked to just be the Obermöhn’s husband. I supported her so that she could find enough time for her volunteer work. At events of the ladies’ committee, like the other “Möhnemänner”, I like to help with tackling, draft beer and waiters. When the Black and Yellow Jonge named me Senator, I felt very honored, because it showed me that my very special commitment to the carnival also attracted attention. I’m just a quiet carnival friend.
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