Poul-Erik Nielsen
January 16, 2023 1:56 p.m
By Tore Vilhelmsen, chairman of Badminton Denmark
The man who got badminton on the Olympic programme Poul-Erik Nielsenis no longer with us.
On Saturday 14 January, the 91-year-old cand.jur. quiet after a short illness.
Poul-Erik Nielsen was born in Nykøbing Falster and started his badminton career at the local club, while he later moved to Copenhagen and Amager Badminton Club in connection with his law studies at the University of Copenhagen. A few years later he moved to Skovshoved, where he played until the racket was put on the shelf dozens of years later.
As a player, he won the All England, then the unofficial world championship, three years in a row. In 1958 and 1960 in men’s doubles with Erland Kops and Finn Kobberø respectively, while in 1959 he won in mixed doubles with Inge Birgit Anker Hansen. The doubles specialist reached a further five All England finals. It also resulted in four DM titles and Thomas Cup participation in 1957/58 as well as 1961 and 1964.
After his playing career, he devoted his life to the political part of badminton. He was quickly elected to The International Badminton Federation’s (IBF) management and chairman of the Rules and Laws Committee. In 1981 he was elected as vice-president of the IBF and three years later as president. A post he held until 1986. Halfway through his presidency, he was among other things responsible for getting badminton included in the Olympic programme. He succeeded, and in that connection he was presented with the Olympic flag as recognition. Poul-Erik Nielsen was also the main force behind the IBF and the Asian breakout group World Badminton Federation finding each other and joining forces, and he was also the architect behind China’s admission to the world federation. When Poul-Erik Nielsen became president, there were 52 member nations. When he left the IBF, the number of members had almost tripled, and it was also Poul-Erik Nielsen who was behind the concept of Open Badminton, which meant that the players could earn money from their sport, and there were also cash prizes on the table in the tournaments.
In the context of Badminton Denmark (Danish Badminton Association), he sat as secretary on the board from 1972-1974, and in 1986 he became chairman of the appeal committee. A post he held until 1998. Poul-Erik Nielsen was also vice-president of Badminton Europe in the years 1977-80.
To emphasize how important Poul-Erik Nielsen has been to the sport of badminton globally, in 1999 he was presented with the Herbert Scheele Trophy by the BWF’s Council. The trophy is given to people who have made an exceptionally good effort for badminton. In 2015 he also received the BWF’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given in recognition of exceptional lifelong support and work for the sport of badminton.
As an active player, he ended his international career when he was in his mid-thirties, while he continued as a veteran with over 30 national titles, and also on the tennis courts he established his name with over a dozen titles as a veteran.
Badminton Denmark will, among other things, honor Poul-Erik Nielsen with a minute’s silence at the association’s representative meeting on 1 April.
Poul-Erik Nielsen will be laid to rest on Friday 20 January at 13.00 from Vinderød Church.
Honored be the memory of Poul-Erik Nielsen.
Tags: BWF, Poul-Erik Nielsen
Category: Front page, News
