- Vivek Ganapathy
Kumar called on Badminton World Federation to retain the existing 21‑point, best‑of‑three scoring system, arguing that it best reflects the true nature of the sport.
Former India chief coach Vimal Kumar has urged the Badminton World Federation to keep the 21‑point, best‑of‑three scoring system unchanged. Vimal Kumar believes this format is the best way to showcase the real character of badminton, especially when you watch a match in a packed local hall in Bengaluru or a massive stadium in Guangzhou.
Vimal Kumar also serves as Director of the Centre for Badminton Excellence. In his role, Vimal Kumar has seen many youngsters grow from playing in school courts to competing internationally. According to Vimal Kumar, constant rule changes already unsettled the game and made it harder for coaches to plan long‑term training cycles.
What the proposal actually says
The Badminton World Federation has floated a plan to switch from the current 3 × 21 points to a 3 × 15‑point format. The proposal will be voted on at the Badminton World Federation Annual General Meeting in Horsens, Denmark. If the change goes through, every match – men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles – would be squeezed into a tighter time‑frame.
Vimal Kumar warned that shortening the games could compromise the sport’s depth. "I hope they take note of this and preserve it, at least in big events, because badminton is a tough sport. They need to understand it," Vimal Kumar said, emphasizing that endurance is a core part of the game’s appeal.
Why other sports haven’t shortened their formats
Vimal Kumar, now 63, pointed out that many popular sports keep their traditional lengths. "Whether it is golf or motorsports or football, they go on for three hours, five hours, and they have never diluted it. Hockey has never diluted it. Basketball has not diluted it," Vimal Kumar explained, reminding the reader of a typical Sunday cricket match that can stretch well beyond five hours without any pressure to truncate it.
When Vimal Kumar talked about these examples, it felt like a friend chatting over chai, using everyday observations to make a point. He even mentioned how fans in Delhi or Kolkata stay awake late on TV to watch long, strategic battles, because the length adds drama.
Badminton’s massive fan base
Badminton, according to Vimal Kumar, enjoys huge viewership not just in India but also in China, Indonesia, and a host of other countries. "Badminton is a sport that is widely watched. It has a big following in China, Indonesia, India and other places," Vimal Kumar noted. He questioned why a handful of officials think the sport needs to be shortened to fit into three‑hour television slots for all five events.
Vimal Kumar’s argument resonates with many Indian fans who line up at local clubs in parts of Kerala or Punjab to watch matches on big screens. The enthusiasm is palpable, and cutting down the game could rob fans of those long, suspenseful rallies that keep the crowd hooked.
Saina Nehwal’s backing
Last month, London Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal also urged the Badminton World Federation to be cautious about tinkering with the scoring system. Saina Nehwal asserted that the current 21‑point format safeguards the sport’s intensity and places demands on endurance – exactly what Vimal Kumar highlighted.
Both Vimal Kumar and Saina Nehwal share the view that preserving the status quo helps maintain the sport’s distinctive flavor, the kind that keeps Indian youngsters dreaming of the Olympics.
Ayush Shetty’s breakthrough at the Badminton Asia Championships
Vimal Kumar’s comments came shortly after a stunning semifinal victory by Ayush Shetty over top seed and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn at the Badminton Asia Championships. Ayush Shetty’s win put the young Indian on the verge of making history.
Vimal Kumar expressed delight, noting that Ayush Shetty became the first Indian men’s singles player since Dinesh Khanna in 1965 to reach the final of this continental event. The achievement added a fresh layer of excitement to the ongoing discussion about scoring formats.
The collaborative coaching model at the Centre for Badminton Excellence
Vimal Kumar credited a collaborative coaching structure for Ayush Shetty’s progress. At the academy, Ayush Shetty works under head coach Sagar Chopda. Vimal Kumar also highlighted that Irwansyah has been helping Ayush Shetty for the past two weeks.
Vimal Kumar stressed that "this is something every coach must realize and understand. I don’t want any coach to think that they can handle a player from cradle to grave. That’s not the right way of thinking." Vimal Kumar believes that pooling expertise from different coaches creates a stronger foundation for players.
Giving credit where it’s due
Vimal Kumar gave a lot of credit to both Sagar Chopda and Irwansyah for Ayush Shetty’s success. "I would give a lot of credit to both these coaches, Sagar Chopda and Irwansyah for Ayush Shetty’s success," Vimal Kumar said, while also reminding that this is just the beginning and Ayush Shetty still has a long way to go.
Vimal Kumar’s balanced view reflects a typical conversation you might hear at a coaching clinic in Bangalore, where senior mentors encourage young talent but also warn against complacency.
Comparing attacking styles
When asked if Ayush Shetty currently possesses the best attacking game, Vimal Kumar replied, "I would say Lin Chun‑Li has the best attack but Ayush Shetty also has an equally better attack. Because he is also like Viktor Axelsen." The comparison with Viktor Axelsen highlighted how tall players often bring a powerful smash to the court.
Vimal Kumar added that a couple of years back he sent Ayush Shetty to Dubai for practice. "Viktor messaged me saying that he reminds him of his younger days," Vimal Kumar recalled, indicating that Ayush Shetty learned a lot during those two weeks.
According to Vimal Kumar, Ayush Shetty’s attack resembles that of Viktor Axelsen because of the similar height and aggressive style.
Potential impact of a rule change
If the Badminton World Federation goes ahead with the 15‑point format, Vimal Kumar fears the sport could lose some of its strategic depth. Shorter games might favour players with quick bursts of energy, but could reduce the importance of stamina, which has always been a hallmark of badminton.
Vimal Kumar also mentioned that such a change could affect the way coaches design training programmes at the Centre for Badminton Excellence. Longer rally drills and endurance sessions might be scaled back, which could affect upcoming talents like Ayush Shetty.
Final thoughts from Vimal Kumar
Wrapping up, Vimal Kumar reiterated the need to preserve the current scoring system, at least for major tournaments. "They need to understand that badminton is a tough sport," Vimal Kumar said, urging the Badminton World Federation to listen to the voices of coaches, players and fans before making any hasty decisions.
The conversation around scoring is more than a technical debate; it reflects the passion of millions of Indian families who tune in to watch matches, the dedication of coaches at academies, and the dreams of youngsters who hope to one day lift a trophy. Vimal Kumar’s plea is a reminder that the soul of badminton lies not just in points, but in the long, hard‑fought battles that happen on the court.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
