Badminton to implement new ranking system next year

JAKARTA (JP): The International Badminton Federation (IBF) has replaced the sport's "head to head" ranking methods with a points-based system which will determine qualifications for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta in the United States, an official said.

"Under the point-based system, which is to be effective in April next year, the player's ranking is solely and equally decided by their performances in the tournaments they compete in," Yustian Suhandinata, IBF's Indonesian delegate and vice president, told newsmen.

He said the new method is similar to the ranking-system used by the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) in which a winner of a match will be awarded equal points regardless of his or her opposition's ranking.

In comparison, the "head to head " system awards higher points for a player who defeated a higher-ranked opponent than the other way around.

On the same occasion, R.A.J. Gozal, the secretary of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), said that under the new system players are required to take part as frequently as possible in international tournaments to prevent their rankings from slipping.

He explained that the new arrangement will make Joko Supriyanto, who is ranked no.1 under the old system, to go down to no.4.

In reverse, the no.4 player under the previous system, Hermawan Susanto, who has played in more competitions than Joko recently, will go up to the no. 1 ranking under the new system.

Gozal also said that the implementation of the point-based arrangement will require a bigger amount of budget on the part of the IBF and the PBSI since more tournaments will be listed on the federation's calender of events.

"We must discuss this as soon as the Thomas and Uber Cups tournaments are completed," he said.

In the next Olympics, the quota for badminton players is maintained at 192 consisting of 96 men and 96 women. The mixed- doubles will be included on the list of badminton events to be contested in Atlanta.

The next Olympics will also introduce a series of "wild card" entries in badminton reserved for three men and three women, which is aimed to encourage more countries to participate in the sport.

The "wild cards" will be decided jointly by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the IBF and National Olympic Committees (NOC).

In addition, there will be 15 medals up for grabs in the badminton events in Atlanta, five golds, five silvers and five bronzes. At the last Olympics in Barcelona, Spain there were only four golds, four silver and eight bronzes offered in badmintomn.

The IBF meeting also decided to appoint Indonesian badminton legend Rudy Hartono, who won the All-England title a record eight times, including seven times in a row, as a member of the Federation's council. Rudy replaces Titus Kurniadi. (hdj)