The Thomas and Uber Cup 2008 competitions opened on Sunday. The following is the history of the two world major badminton championships.
The Thomas Cup competition was the idea of Sir George Alan Thomas, a highly successful English badminton player of the early 1900's, who was inspired by tennis's Davis Cup, and football's (soccer's) World Cup first held in 1930. His idea was well received at the general meeting of the International Badminton Federation (now Badminton World Federation) in 1939.
Only three countries have ever won the Thomas Cup. The Thomas Cup, sometimes called the World Men's Team Championships, is an international badminton competition contested by the men's national badminton teams of the member nations of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the sport's global governing body. The championships have been conducted every two years since the 1982 tournament, amended from being conducted every three years since the first tournament held in 1948-1949.
In the 24 Thomas Cup tournaments held since 1948-1949, only three nations have won the title. Indonesia is the most successful team, having won the tournament 13 times. The current cup holder China, which did not begin to compete until the 1981-1982 series, follows Indonesia with six titles, while Malaysia has won five titles.
The Uber Cup is named after an ex-British woman's badminton player, Betty Uber, who had the idea of hosting the women's event similar to men in New Zealand back in 1950. She also made the draw for the 1956-1957 inaugural tournament, which took place at LythamSt. Annes in Lancashire, England.
The Uber Cup, sometimes called the World Team Championships for Women, is a major international badminton competition contested by women's national badminton teams. It has been played every two years since 1984, amended from being conducted every three years after merging with the Thomas Cup.
The cup follows a similar format to that of the men's competition of the Thomas Cup. In the 21 tournaments held, China is the most successful, having lifted the trophy 10 times. Japan is second, having won it five times, followed by Indonesia and the United States, each with three cups.
Source:Xinhua
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