Former Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal strongly opposed the proposed 15-point system in the sport. The Olympic medalist has urged the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to be cautious about proposed scoring changes, saying the current 21-point system preserves the sport’s core intensity and endurance.
The sport’s governing body, the Badminton World Federation (BWF), proposed a change to the scoring system, proposing a move from the current best-of-three games to 21 points to a 3×15 format. The proposal will be put to a vote of members at the BWF Annual General Meeting in Horsens, Denmark on April 25.
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Former Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal has called for caution on any changes to the format, stressing that the traditional structure of badminton has helped define the intensity of the sport. Speaking to PTI, Saina said tournaments like All England Open Badminton Championships and BWF World Championships have always stood out because of the endurance and high level of competition they demand.
“Badminton has a rich tradition and tournaments like the All England Open Badminton Championships and the BWF World Championships have always been exceptional in their intensity and endurance factor,” said Saina, who recently became a member of the Indian International Movement for United Nations (IIMUN) advisory board.
“Any change in scoring or format needs to be carefully considered. The current 21 point system has worked well and players have adapted to it over the years.
“If changes are introduced, they should ensure that the quality of rallying and the competitive balance of the sport are not affected. At the end of the day, the focus should be on fair competition and the spirit of the game.”
Meanwhile, the revamped BWF World Tour will also bring structural changes to the circuit. Under the new format, the five Super 1000 tournaments, which will be held in Asia and Europe, will feature a new singles format with 48 players competing in the group stage before advancing to the knockout stages.
The doubles competitions will retain a knock-out structure, with 32 couples competing in each competition. Each Super 1000 tournament will also be expanded to an 11-day schedule spanning two weekends.
Saina also stressed the need for the BWF to prioritize player well-being, pointing out that a busy international calendar leaves little room for recovery and increases the risk of injury and burnout among elite players.
“Badminton is a very tough sport, physically and mentally. The rallies are longer, the speed of the game is higher and the players participate in tournaments almost every week.
“The World Badminton Federation has tried to structure the calendar, but from a player’s point of view, recovery time is extremely important. Injuries and fatigue can affect performance and also shorten a career.
“I feel the schedule should allow for better recovery periods between major tournaments and teams should have more support for sports science and rehabilitation.”
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
14 March 2026 15:14 IST
