More balanced punishments on errant shuttlers please, says Hans-Kristian

THE Badminton World Federation (BWF) should be more balanced in passing sentences on players who have erred, says Denmark’s Hans-Kristian Vittinghus.

Vittinghus was the first shuttler, together with teammate Kim Astrup, to make an official report to the BWF on match-fixing that led the world body to take a serious look at the issue.

Vittinghus was very when the world body meted out punishment on two Malaysian players – Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Tan Chun Seang – for match-fixing last month but he felt that the punishments were too harsh.

Zulfadli was handed a 20-year ban while Chun Seang received 15 years.

“I’m happy with what BWF have done.

“They showed that they are seri- ous in battling match-fixing,” said Vittinghus.

“But the irony is that some of the players like Lee Chong Wei escaped with only eight months for a doping violation. There are others with less-than-a-year punishment too.

“I’m not sure which is seen as more serious by the world body – it looks like match-fixing but the difference in the punishement is so huge.

“It’s like giving these players life bans. Maybe, the world body can strike some balance.”

Asked whether BWF’s strong stance will help eradicate the match-fixing menace, Vittinghus said: “It may quell it for a while but it will not go away.

“I made a report about a bookie a few years ago and the Malaysian police prevented him from being close to tournaments for a while.

“Now I hear that he’s back with some other sports brand – he’s back in business but hopefully, not in match-fixing.

“BWF’s tactic to scare people with harsh punishments may put off people from being involved as it ruins one’s career. But people will always find ways to cheat – we’ll just have to stay alert,” he said