Badminton to test new scoring system

Omnisports Pulse

June 20, 2014 1:36 AM

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is to test a new scoring system from August, it has been announced.

The proposals would see each game played to 11 points, rather than the current 21, and matches settled on a best-of-five basis.

Table tennis underwent a similar overhaul in 2001 and BWF president Poul-Erik Hoyer believes the changes, which have drawn criticism in some quarters, will help attract new fans to the sport.

"The 5x11 scoring system is aimed at creating more excitement and interest while reducing the time which matches take to be completed," said Hoyer.

"The testing will show to what extent this can be achieved while maintaining the many positive elements of the present scoring system.

"However, we are not ruling out other possibilities and we will continue engaging our stakeholders and seeking their feedback from the testing.

"This is a very important and inclusive process in which we are involving players, member associations, commercial partners, media and other badminton-related entities.

"If things go well we may take things further but that decision has not been made yet. We have a council meeting in November at which time we will evaluate the feedback and data that we get from this testing."

Officials hope to have settled on a scoring system before qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games begins next year.

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