He has spent much of his recent life in more glamorous surroundings but International Olympic Committee member Sir Craig Reedie yesterday had particular reason to savour his return to a less a salubrious setting in Govan's Bogmoor Place.

The 73-year-old has accrued many accolades over a long career in sport, including a knighthood, but yesterday's was particularly special for him because the disused paint factory he transformed some 35 years ago into what was then the Scottish Badminton Union's headquarters was being renamed in his honour.

At a dignified little ceremony - attended by Robert Blair, the senior figure in the current national squad who was among the three Scots that picked up medals at this year's Commonwealth Games - Anne Smillie, Badminton Scotland's chief executive, praised Reedie for his vision and creativity in identifying that opportunity in 1979 and driving it through, in spite of opposition from those who did not want the organisations's headquarters moved from the capital.

After Gordon Matheson, the leader of Glasgow City Council, unveiled a plaque which commemorated the occasion in the middle of the six-court facility that has recently undergone a £150,000 refurbishment, Reedie explained what had inspired him.

"It is hard to believe it is 34 years since we started thinking about this, but then the first mention of Scottish badminton having its own hall was in 1934," he said. "I got the idea for a facility like this when I attended the Uber Cup in Auckland at the Auckland Badminton Centre, which was little more than a green-painted corrugated iron hut. I felt if they could do that so could we."

Reedie would also return the compliment to Smillie by praising the leadership she has shown in attracting major events and made it clear that he felt the sport's future in Scotland is in good hands. "I've always been slightly disappointed that we never produced enough really good players [but] I think that's beginning to change," he said.

"I was speaking to my old friend John Barrie, who coaches still in Lanark, and he's got the under-11 girls champion. If people like Johnny are bringing on kids of that age then the future is healthy."