Sanctioned by the International Badminton Federation (IBF), the Sudirman Cup is one of the most prestigious titles badminton and is the only world event for men and women competing together in national teams (but there are mixed team events in Commonwealth Games and Continental Championships).
The idea of a mixed team event first came up during IBF Council meetings in 1986 and by 1988 the IBF had accepted and approved the regulations for the competition to be staged in conjunction with the World Individual Championships. The first competition was held in Indonesia in 1989 and thereafter every other year.
The Federation accepted from the Badminton Association of Indonesia, a memorial to the late Dick Sudirman in the form of a cup to be known as the 'Sudirman Cup' and to be presented to the winners of the World Mixed Team Championship. Dick Sudirman, as well as being a long-serving member of IBF Council, first as a Councilor and then Vice-President, was known as the father of Indonesian badminton and was a champion player in his own right. He was a founder of PBSI and served as its President for 22 years.
But by the 8th Sudirman Cup in the Netherlands (2003), the event had grown sufficiently in world stature for it to become a stand-alone tournament in the world badminton calendar. The World Individual Championships are now held annually (except for Olympic years) and the Sudirman Cup is still held bi-annually. It attracts the finest exponents of the game from all over the world and produces some exhilarating badminton for all spectators.
There is no prize money for this event - just the prestige of playing for your country. In addition there are valuable IBF world ranking points to be earned and this is particularly important for countries in the lower groups.
The Sudirman Cup trophy
The Cup stands 80cm high, is made of 22 carat gold-plated solid silver and stands on an octagonal base made of 'jati' wood. The body of the Cup is in the form of a shuttlecock and is surmounted by a replica of the Borobudur temple. The handles are in the shape of stamens, symbolising the seeds of badminton.