Badminton to use new points system

Badminton to use new points system

SEMARANG (JP): The Indonesian Open badminton championships, to
be held in Surabaya from July 23 to 29, will use a new scoring
system enabling European shuttlers to be on a more level playing
field with their Asian counterparts.

The new system of seven points in five sets replaces the old
one of 15 points in two sets. It was first officially tried in
the Junior World Championships in Guangzhou last year.

"The new system received good responses and will make the
competition even tighter. European shuttlers will catch up with
their Asian counterparts," manager of the Central Java-based
Djarum Kudus badminton club, Syaiful AR told reporters on Friday.

"It relies on power instead of speed thus giving advantages to
European players who also rely on power when compared to Asian
shuttlers who rely on their speed," he added.

Syaiful also revealed that the Badminton Association of
Indonesia (PBSI) will retain the five-star status by increasing
the prize money from US$150,000 to $170,000.

"PBSI is also determined to hold more badminton events of
national and international standard in cities other than Jakarta.
That's why PBSI chose Surabaya," he said. (har)