Players support IBF's new scoring system to be 1st staged in China

KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Players are throwing their weight behind a trial run of a five-game seven-point system introduced by the International Badminton Federation (IBF) to be implemented at the World Junior Championships in Guangzhou, China, in November. Should there be a deuce at 6-6, the setting point will be two.

"I think it will be great for the players as we will be expected to play in a more offensive manner due to the shortened points. But if one player is much better than the other, the match will be one-sided," said Indonesian men's singles Hendrawan, and world number two, at the Mines Beach Resort and Spa on Thursday.

"IBF previously introduced the nine-point system but I don't understand why they opted to shorten it to seven. Maybe a nine- point system would be better. However, it still needs to be tried at international events."

Danish world number one Peter Gade Christensen shared the same view. "I believe it is a good system as it will be challenging and players will have to be more creative to win."

Women's singles number one Camilla Martin, who is also Gade Christensen's girlfriend, backed the system.

"It's a good idea to try something new because sometimes a match can go on for hours. Maybe it will be more exciting but the IBF must popularize the system first. However, it must be tried not only in junior championships but also in senior tournaments."

Support for the system was also given by one of the men's doubles world number one, Tony Gunawan of Indonesia.

"I think the current point system, which reaches 15, is not as challenging as the seven-point system. In the current system, even if your opponents are some points ahead, it isn't as exciting as the new system.

"The new system will force us to focus on the match from the 0-0 point. Each point will be valuable. However, I would have preferred if the IBF picked nine instead of seven points in a match. Seven points will be too fast."

While Danish doubles player Jim Laugesen said: "With a new system, each point is more important. I think the less-strong country has a chance to win a game. It doesn't really matter if the match goes quickly.

"Besides, playing in five games will give more space for commercial breaks on TV and badminton can get more money from it." (yan)