New badminton rules up to make it faster, more thrilling

The fast and furious sport of badminton is shifting to higher gear.

Already considered the fastest racquet sport in the world, badminton is all set to undergo some major changes in its rules that would make it even faster and definitely more exciting.

Dr. Khang Yong Joung, the new president of the International Badminton Federation, said there are plans to shift to the rally-point system where points are offered on each serve.

Current badminton rules offer points only to players holding serve.

The Korean official who was in the country for the MVP Cup Asia vs Europe tie also said points per set will be increased to 21, best-of-three, for both men’s and ladies’ divisions.

The rally-point system was recently applied in volleyball and table tennis. Those playing the two sports and those watching them welcomed the change.

"There will be no more service over. Every error counts under this new rule, which we think will even more make the game exciting, thrilling and faster.

"Also, we will take away the inside line of the service box to give way to the high serve," explained IBF council director and Asian team manager Datuk Punch Gunalan.

Khang said all 120 member countries of the IBF will be given until December to experiment with the new rules before their inputs are taken for consideration.

Joining Khang and Gunalan during the press conference was Jakarta Gov. Sutiyoso Sutiyoso, the incoming president of the Asian Badminton Confederation.

"These changes are meant to make badminton the number one sport in Asia," he said. — Abac Cordero