Badminton to continue testing of five-game scoring system

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) Thursday decided to continue with the testing variations of the best of five games.

"Following the recent BWF Council meeting in Lima, Peru, members agreed any prospective change in the scoring system would only be considered for introduction after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games - a main concern of players in surveys - and that more testing including two setting options would be trialled next year," Poul-Erik Hoyer, BWF president, said in a statement.

Hoyer said testing of the scoring system will continue.

"Between February and April 2015, organisers of BWF Level 3 (Grand Prix) and Level 4 tournaments will again be invited to test the 5x11 system, either with setting to a maximum of 15 points or with a three-point decider if the score reaches 10-all. There will only be a one-minute break between games. Earlier this year, 31 Level 3 and Level 4 events tested the 5x11 option without setting."

Justifying the decision, Hoyer said that new scoring system will make the game "more exciting and entertaining".

"We believe these tweaks in testing can bring us closer to what we want to achieve: to improve our sport and make it more exciting and entertaining in the ever-evolving sports industry, particularly for youth who like more fast-paced, dynamic sport - both when watching high-level badminton and when participating in the sport," he said.

"At the same time, we must of course heed the reservations which have been expressed by a number of stakeholders, especially players."

He said the extensive testing is being conducted to give players more time to get familiar with the scoring format.

"So we will engage in more testing - with setting options - which will give players more time to get familiar with the 5x11 option and then we will consider the feedback and data which we receive from those tournaments."