Will wipe off few players, benefit few others: Gopichand on badminton's new scoring system
Badminton coach Pullela Gopichand discusses the impact of the BWF's upcoming shift to a 15x3 scoring system. He suggests the change will favor specific player profiles while potentially ending the careers of others who cannot adapt to the increased intensity.
Why it matters
Changes in professional sports regulations significantly alter athlete training regimens and the competitive landscape of the sport.
Pullela Gopichand still remembers the disruption caused by badminton's scoring overhaul during his playing career and as the sport gears up to embrace another "tactical shift", the India coach believes a few players will be "wiped off".
The 15x3 system (three games of 15 points each) will replace the current 21x3 format (three games of 21 points each) next year. The BWF said the shorter format would help in managing player workload in a crowded calendar.
Gopichand recalled how he had won the All England title in 2001 under the traditional 15-point format before badminton briefly switched to the 7x5 scoring system.
The experiment was abandoned within a year, with the sport reverting to the traditional 15-point scores for men and 11-point scores for women at that time.
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