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)