BWF Urges Shift to Synthetic Shuttlecocks Amid Global Shortage!
BWF addresses rising shuttlecock costs and urges manufacturers to adopt sustainable alternatives.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has acknowledged a global shortage of feather shuttlecocks, driven by a raw material crunch in China, but maintains that the situation has not yet escalated to a crisis. In an email interview with PTI, BWF Secretary-General Thomas Lund emphasized the need for manufacturers to resolve supply chain challenges and accelerate the development of advanced synthetic shuttlecocks to ensure the sport’s long-term sustainability.
The price of imported feather shuttlecocks, traditionally made from goose and duck feathers, has more than doubled over the past year due to supply constraints. A report by French newspaper L’Equipe attributed the shortage to shifting dietary preferences in China, where pork consumption has surpassed duck and goose, coupled with badminton’s growing global popularity. This has strained the availability of feathers, impacting players and communities worldwide.
“We are aware of the global supply chain challenges and subsequent increases in feathered shuttlecock prices,” Lund stated. “While we are concerned by this barrier, in our dialogue with large-scale manufacturers, we don’t believe this is at a crisis level yet.” However, he stressed that the responsibility lies with shuttlecock producers to address these issues and expedite the production of viable synthetic alternatives.
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The BWF has been committed to developing synthetic shuttlecocks for over a decade, viewing them as critical to the sport’s accessibility and sustainability. Lund noted that while the BWF is not a manufacturer, it actively collaborates with producers to test and refine synthetic shuttlecocks for both competitive and recreational use. “Several manufacturers have already introduced social-use synthetic shuttlecocks, which have been well received,” he said, adding that ongoing feedback from testing is guiding improvements for competition-approved products.
In India, national chief coach Pullela Gopichand has raised concerns about the sport’s reliance on feather shuttlecocks, urging a shift toward sustainable options. The BWF echoed this sentiment, reaffirming its commitment to synthetic shuttlecocks as part of its long-term strategy. Lund assured that the organization is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining regular communication with global manufacturers to provide updates to Member Associations and the badminton community.
As the sport grapples with these challenges, the BWF’s push for synthetic shuttlecocks signals a pivotal step toward ensuring badminton remains accessible and resilient in the face of supply chain disruptions.
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