The new system is hoped to increase the excitement of matches, especially towards the end of games when one player is considerably ahead of his opponent.

"Following consultations with players and BWF delegates about various scoring systems, we think there is merit in testing alternatives and we have chosen to test the 5x11 option which is significantly different from what we have now," said BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer.

"In recent years, the increasing time span of matches and long lead-up to the end of games and matches - especially where there's a big points difference – has somewhat compromised the level of excitement.

"The 5x11 scoring system is aimed at creating more excitement and interest while reducing the time which matches take to be completed.

"The testing will show to what extent this can be achieved while maintaining the many positive elements of the present scoring system.

"However, we are not ruling out other possibilities and we will continue engaging our stakeholders and seeking their feedback from the testing.

"This is a very important and inclusive process in which we are involving players, member associations, commercial partners, media and other badminton-related entities.

BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer hopes the new scoring system will increase the excitement of badminton while ending long-drawn out games where one competitor is considerably ahead of their opponent ©Getty Images



The news comes following a BWF Council meeting, in which delegates agreed to invite tournament hosts to trial this scoring option, starting from August.

The test events may take place at level 3 and 4 tournaments, which include Grand Prix events, and, due to the vast number of badminton tournaments worldwide, will see a sizable test pool to test the new system.

Depending on the feedback from these events, the BWF may decide to implement the new system before or after Rio 2016 - or not at all.

If it were to be introduced before Rio 2016, the system would need to be implemented by May 2015, before the start of the qualification period for the Olympic Games.

"If things go well we may take things further but that decision has not been made yet," said Høyer.

We have a Council meeting in November at which time we will evaluate the feedback and data that we get from this testing."

The BWF has talked increasingly of changing the system over recent months with a Members Forum held in New Delhi to discuss the idea.

The idea faced some criticisms from players, including five-time world champion and double Olympic champion Lin Dan of China, who claimed at the Thomas and Uber Cup team Championships in May that constant tinkering with the rules was not good for the sport.

"I don't like it," he said.

"I don't think making changes like this is good for the game."

Earlier this year, five-time world champion Lin Dan criticised the BWF's attempts to change the scoring system ©Getty Images





At the Council meeting in the Indian capital, three other systems were considered:

·         Two games of 21 (current setting) and the third game to be played for 11 points (two  points clear setting; decisive point at 14-all)

·          Three games of 15 points (setting at 19)

·          Five games of nine points (setting with two points clear; decisive point at 12-all)

Despite Dan's concerns, Britain's Emma Mason, chair of the BWF Athletes' Commission, added: "[The BWF] took great care to ensure players were informed of the scoring-system proposal and given a chance to voice their opinions.

"The 5x11 system, resulting from the BWF Council meeting in India, is a fair reflection of the feedback from players and member associations.

"Players expressed concern that the proposed 5x9 system might result in games that were too short and I am pleased the BWF Council took this view into consideration."

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