NEW DELHI: Badminton could soon see a new scoring system at the top level to benefit television coverage and make contests more attractive for viewers, the sport’s governing body said yesterday.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) will open discussions on the subject this weekend in New Delhi on the sidelines of the ongoing men’s Thomas Cup and women’s Uber Cup team championships.
The BWF has already sounded out the players on three alternate options to replace the existing system that has the winner reaching 21 points, two points clear of his opponent, in a best-of-three game format.
One suggestion is to have two games of 21 each with the decider, if needed, played for 11 points.
Another format is 15 points for each game, while a third suggestion is to play five games of nine points each.
A difference of two points will still be needed for the winner.
A change in the scoring pattern is being discussed for the first time since 2006 when the 21-point pattern was introduced.
“The BWF will be considering the matter as it seeks to continue innovative developments to improve badminton in all contexts -- for fans, television, live streaming and for players at every level,” the governing body said in a statement.
“We think the time is right to discuss a news system with our members so generations to come continue enjoying badminton at its best,” BWF secretary-general Thomas Lund added.
The BWF plans to trial the selected format at small tournaments and seek feedback from various stakeholders before it is introduced at major events like the world championships or the Olympics.
Meanwhile, France made a memorable Thomas Cup debut by joining favourites China in the quarter-finals from group D with a 3-2 win over Russia in New Delhi yesterday.
Russia, who had lost both their previous ties against China and Taiwan, took the lead when Vladimir Ivanov defeated Brice Leverdez 21-11, 17-21, 21-8 in the opening singles. But Lucas Corvee drew level with a 21-17, 21-4 win over Vladimir Malkov in the second singles, before Baptiste Careme and Bastian Kersaudy won the doubles to put France ahead.
The French, who had stunned Taiwan on Monday, gained an unassailable 3-1 lead when Thomas Rouxel beat Anton Ivanov 21-9, 21-14 in the fourth match.
“Winning against Taiwan was the key, because we knew we could beat Russia,” Rouxel told AFP. “This is just so exciting. First Thomas Cup for us and we are in the knock-out round.
“I know people back home are also excited, because we have been getting a lot of messages on Facebook.”
China, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals with two wins, ensured they topped the group with a 5-0 demolition of Taiwan.
Other fancied men’s teams also booked their quarter-final places even before the last round of league matches are played.
Former champions Indonesia and Thailand qualified from group A and Denmark and Japan made the grade from group B, all with easy wins.
Indonesia, hoping to add to their record tally of 13 titles, blanked Nigeria 5-0 without dropping a game in any of the three singles or two doubles matches.
Thailand, inspired by world number eight Boonsak Ponsana, proved too strong for Singapore in a 4-1 win marred by a leg injury to second singles player Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk.
Denmark, widely regarded as the best nation never to have won the Thomas Cup, made short work of England 5-0 to set up an interesting duel with Japan on Wednesday to determine the group leaders.
Japan routed Hong Kong 5-0 despite world number four Kenichi Tago being taken to three games by Yun Hu in the opening singles.
Japan and Denmark also made the quarter-finals from group Z in the women’s Uber Cup competition at the expense of Malaysia and Germany.Agencies
