Herbert Scheele - Secretary Extraordinary

Although he and I are almost the same age, in the world of badminton he was very much my senior and although I may, with all the advantages of a part-time administrator, have caught up a little bit, I have always thought that in knowledge, appreciation and world influence on the game he has continued to reign supreme.

Since 1948 we have served together in the interests of badminton, both on the England and World stage.In the early days the game was for the few and the running of national and international organisations took account of this fact. Since then the importance of badminton throughout the world has increased enormously, to such an extent indeed that success or failure become in many areas a matter of national prestige. Because of this growth, Governments commenced to realise that this sport, in common with many others, was a matter of national importance and began to subsidise the playing organisations and in some instances because of this fact took the opportunity to direct their nationals as to who and when and where they should play.

Herbert Scheele and I have been extremely fortunate to live in a country where, although there are generous subsidies, there has never been any direction as to policy and so the Badminton Association of England has been able to take an objective view o.f the world situation and, in general, to take decisions purely from the sporting point of view.In domestic matters this has worked well, but in other parts of the world great difficulties have arisen. For the last five years at least the Hon. Secretary and the President of the International Badminton Federation have had to try to resolve problems arising between nations and even groups of nations. The solutions advocated by the Hon. Secretary and the immediate Past President may have not always been the same, but have always admired the singleness of purpose and honesty of mind that directed the actions of Herbert Scheele.

The carrying out of some of the decisions of the Council of the International Badminton Federation must have seemed to him to be pragmatic rather than sporting, expedient rather than just, but nevertheless these decisions have been loyally implemented, History will record who has been right in these last years, but what these records will undoubtedly show is that June 1976 marked the end of the term of office of the greatest Secretary in the game of Badminton. Personally I would unhesitatingly say that his skill and ability has not been excelled by any administrator in a similar position anywhere in the world.

To him we owe the whole of the framework of rules and regulations within which the modem game is played. The fact that to some who wish to proceed with more speed than circumspection they may appear somewhat restrictive is to his credit rather than the reverse. At the very least they have been capable of withstanding vast expansion among many nations of many languages and traditions. Lastly, this expansion has been to an overwhelming extent due to the enthusiastic powers of persuasion of Herbert Scheele and especially his constant encouragement of the smaller nations.

 -- By Stuart Wyatt, President of IBF, 1974-1976 - World Badminton August 1976