BWF mull ‘attractive’ new scoring system

PETALING JAYA: Be prepared for a new scoring system in badminton.

It is learnt that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) council have agreed, in principle, to change the scoring format from the 21x3 rally to 11x5 after a recent meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The world body are expected to make a decision at their annual general meeting (AGM) in Bangkok next May during the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals.

And it looks like the members are ready for a change.

The 11x5 system will be set to a maximum of 15 points when the score reaches 10-10.

The current 21-point best-of-three-game scoring format was introduced 10 years ago.

“This change involves amending the rule of the game. It has to come through the AGM. The council, in principle, have agreed and have recommended for the new scoring format,” said a source.

Several Level 3 and Level 4 tournaments had tried out the 11x5 option earlier this year.

BWF president Poul-Erik Hoyer had said during the Denmark Open in October that the new scoring format would change the dynamics of the game – making it very interesting.

“It’ll get very exciting towards the end. It’ll be good for the fans. Imagine the possibility of having a thrilling end in a game five times over,” he said.

“This changes will bring us closer to what we want to achieve – to improve our sport and make it more exciting and entertaining in the ever-evolving sports industry.

“It will also be attractive to the youths, who like to watch and play fast-paced, dynamic sport.”

Hoyer also announced yesterday said that a new service rule at a fixed height would be tried out from March 1, beginning with the All-England in Birmingham (March 14-18).

Under the new service rule, the whole of the shuttle must be below 1.15m from the surface of the court at the moment it touches the server’s racquet.

“The serve is an integral part of badminton. Over the years, we have been looking for ways to improve on how the service laws are applied,” said Hoyer in a press release.