Richard Eaton, the veteran racket sports writer, is to be honoured by the Badminton World Federation. He will be presented with the Distinguished Service award at the BWF world championships at London’s Wembley Arena in August.
Eaton is the first British journalist to be so honoured, the award in recognition of long and distinguished service to badminton throughout the world.
SJA member Eaton has covered badminton for more than 30 years, having been working in other racket sports, including tennis, squash and table tennis, for longer still, working in more than 50 countries.
A Blue at tennis and squash, Eaton began his career as a reporter/sub on The News, Portsmouth. He became racket sports correspondent for the Sunday Times in 1978, badminton correspondent of The Times in 1980, and he is The Guardian‘s regular tennis contributor, having covered the last 20 Wimbledons.
So prolific, outlets throughout the world have benefited from his expertise including the BBC World Service, to which he is a regular contributor. This year he covered the world championships in Paris and the Commonwealth Games in Delhi for Agence France Presse.
UPCOMING SJA DATES
Wed Apr 13: SJA 2011 Annual Meeting, at offices of UK Sport, Russell Square. Strictly SJA members only.
Wed Dec 7: SJA 2011 British Sports Awards – note the date in your diary now.
All details subject to alteration. Keep checking sportsjournalists.co.uk for updates