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The Badminton World Federation (BWF) will vote on Saturday on a proposed change to the existing scoring system after the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Currently, each game is played to 21 points, provided the winner has a two-point lead. But the BWF thinks that the games are a little too long in the current system.
The federation expects the new scoring system to energize the sport and make it relevant to the millennial audience. The change proposes a shift to a best-of-five games instead of a best-of-three, with an 11-point format per game.
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Also Read: A guide to the rules and scoring for badminton at the Summer Olympics
“The proposed scoring system change is part of my vision to make badminton more exciting and to increase the entertainment value for stakeholders and fans,” said Poul-Erik Hoyer, the BWF president and 1996 Olympic champion for Denmark.
“This is only proposed to be introduced after the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. So, I’m confident this is a more favourable time to affect this change," he added.
Viktor Axelsen among stars to oppose the post-Tokyo Olympics changes
According to the world governing body, the change was proposed by Badminton Indonesia and Badminton Maldives to make the sport more television-friendly.
The BWF will hold its virtual annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday, when a final decision is expected.
Similar attempts to amend the scoring system were unsuccessful in 2014 and 2018. An overall two-thirds majority of 168 votes will be required to ratify the new scoring system.
However, Danish star and world number two Viktor Axelsen has voiced his reluctance to the idea of changing the existing three-game format. Axelsen expressed his displeasure at the BWF's lack of communication with players on changes in the playing format.
Former top shuttlers such as China’s Lin Dan and Denmark’s Jan Jorgensen were also not happy with the proposed five-game format back in 2014.
Also Read: An Extensive Guide to the Tokyo Olympics
