Wang Wenjiao, an esteemed badminton coach from China, recently expressed his gratitude for being recognized and honored by President Xi Jinping during the country’s 70th anniversary celebrations in September. Wang was among 42 notable individuals who received awards at the gala, and he was the only recipient representing the field of sports.
In an interview at the Fuzhou China Open, Wang shared his feelings about the honor, saying, “I feel great and thankful because my country has remembered me. I thought I was forgotten. I wasn’t prepared for this. It feels like a big surprise. There are many citizens who have contributed to the country, so for me to get this honor feels special. I feel very lucky that my contribution to badminton has been recognized.”
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Wang’s journey in badminton began when he was invited to Indonesia in 1954 to establish China’s first national training program for the sport. Together with his friend Chen Fushou, Wang worked tirelessly to popularize badminton and identify talented players. Among his early trainees were Tang Xianhu, Hou Jiachang, and Fang Kaixiang, who achieved remarkable success in Asian events and friendly exchange programs in Europe. However, at that time, China was not yet affiliated with the International Badminton Federation, preventing these players from competing on an international stage.
Once China entered international badminton in the early 1980s, they quickly made their mark. They won their first Thomas Cup in 1982 and the Uber Cup in 1984, establishing themselves as one of the powerhouses in the world of badminton.
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Wang, who served as head coach until the early 1990s, also played a significant role in the administration of the sport. He was a Council member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Reflecting on his connection with the city of Fuzhou, Wang shared fond memories, stating, “Fuzhou is where we started the development of Chinese badminton. Since then, it has progressed very fast. When we came here in the 1950s, the houses were built of wood. It was different from what we see now. The provincial government has put a lot of emphasis on developing the sport. I see that they are now the main sponsors of the event, which never happened earlier.”
Wang Wenjiao’s dedication and contributions to badminton have left an indelible mark on the sport. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact one individual can have in shaping the future of a sport.
Nguồn: https://carnegiecentre.com
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