Saina Nehwal Flags Concerns Over BWF’s Proposed Point-System Change

Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal has cautioned the Badminton World Federation over its proposed changes to the sport’s scoring format, saying the move could significantly alter the nature of the game and impact players across all levels of competition.

The former world No. 1 and Olympic medallist expressed concern about the federation’s reported plan to modify the current scoring system used in international badminton tournaments. The proposal, which has been under discussion within the governing body, aims to introduce a revised points structure in an attempt to make matches shorter and more appealing to television audiences.

Nehwal said such a change should be approached cautiously, noting that badminton’s existing format has been refined over the years and is well understood by players and fans. She warned that altering the system too drastically could affect the rhythm of the game and potentially disadvantage athletes who have built their strategies around the current format.

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The Indian star also highlighted the physical and mental demands of badminton, saying the sport already requires immense endurance, tactical planning, and consistency. According to her, a new points system could shift the balance of the game by rewarding quick bursts of scoring rather than sustained performance over longer rallies and matches.

Badminton has previously undergone scoring changes in the past, including the shift from the old 15-point system to the current 21-point rally scoring format used today. While such changes were introduced to modernize the sport and improve broadcast appeal, they also sparked debate among players and coaches at the time.

Nehwal’s comments have added to the ongoing discussion within the badminton community about the future of the sport’s format. Many players and analysts believe any change should be carefully tested to ensure it preserves the competitive integrity of the game while still meeting the federation’s objectives for growth and global audience engagement.

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