Asian nations want more study on 11point system

KUALA LUMPUR: The representatives of seven Asian national badminton governing bodies today unanimously called for an overall study before implementation of the new 5x11 scoring system for the sport.

The officials, from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand, arrived at the decision at a meeting organised by the Badminton Asia Confederation at a hotel here.

Acting Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid said various aspects of the 11-point scoring system had to be considered even by badminton fans besides the players and coaches. He said the new format was scheduled to be adopted in 2018 although several countries, especially Asian nations, had yet to use the new format as they feared it would affect the performance of badminton.

“The countries wanted to conduct a study on the new format before it is adopted. There were differing views on the format from coaches, players and fans themselves. A decision on the use of the new format will be finalised by year-end,” he said to reporters after the meeting, which was chaired by Badminton Asia Confederation president Anton Subowo.

Al Amin said BAM would be carrying out its own survey among players, coaches and members of the public on the new format. Any study should also get the views of the senior players, he added. Apart from the new format, Al Amin said, the meeting today also discussed other matters including the tight schedule in the Thomas Cup and Olympic Games badminton competitions where players exhausted by play that stretched into the night had to play again early the following day.

BWF president Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen said it was very crucial to have a consensus of all concerned to ensure badminton remained a competitive sport in the world.

“If we’re not seen as competitive with other sports, we have failed. So, if you want badminton to be one of the top sports in the world, we need improvement,” he said. — Bernama