Former IBF President Ian Palmer passes away
News 3:42 PM
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is saddened to learn of the passing of Ian Palmer, a former president of the then International Badminton Federation, on 4 July 2010. He was 86.
Badminton has lost a great friend and administrator and the BWF extends its condolences, thoughts and prayers to his wife, Betty, and the family.He was President of the IBF from 1987-1990 and made significant contributions to the development of badminton in the world and in New Zealand especially in the area of players’ rankings. 
In his quest to bring the sport to a greater global audience, he travelled to Nigeria and East Africa in a bid to set an early pattern of development, and thanks largely to his efforts and his colleagues, badminton is growing stronger in this region.
“The badminton fraternity has lost a valuable friend and we will always cherish his contributions to develop and popularise the sport,” said BWF President Dr Kang Young Joong.
“We would also like to offer our condolences to his wife, Betty, and the family. He will be missed by all of us.”
Ian took up badminton first in Wellington in 1939 just before World War II intervened. He returned to the sport with the West End Club in Hamilton in the late 1940s, then it was back to Wellington where he joined the Hutt Valley Club.
Hutt Valley soon became a sub-association with Ian its first president. During his six years in office Hutt's hall was built and Ian ended his presidential term with a Life Membership of the sub-association.
He later went to become a member of the New Zealand Badminton Federation management committee, and later its President from 1973-1974.
In 1973, he was elected to the IBF Council in Bangkok and in 1981 became a Vice
President. From 1987 to 1990 lan Palmer was President of the International Badminton Federation, at that time the sole New Zealander heading a world sporting body.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 3:42 PM.
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