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Major changes in badminton rules

The International Badminton Federation in its annual general body meeting in Hong Kong has revised certain laws.

The changes are due to take effect from August 1, 1998.

The most significant of the revisions relates to setting. From here on, setting will be permitted only when the score reaches 14-all (10-all, for women).

At this point, the choice provided will be to either set the score to 15 (11 for ladies) or to 17 (13 for ladies).

The rules regarding intervals have also been modified -- thus, there will be 90 second intervals between games one and two, and five minutes, maximum, between games two and three.

During the 90-second interval, players are not allowed to leave the court, unless prior permission is sought from the umpire. However, players can leave the court during the five minute break between games two and three.

Courtside coaching will be permitted, during both the 90 second and five minute intervals.

Prize money division has also been modified. With effect October 1998, 23.2 per cent of all prize money will go to men's singles, 17.4 per cent to women's singles, 21.6 per cent to men's doubles, 18.9 per cent apiece to women's doubles and mixed doubles.

The IBF has also approved the carrying of advertisers' logos on the clothing of players. Permissible areas are the left and right sleeves, left and right collars and the front of the shirt.

Each logo must be 20 square centimeters or less. There can only be one logo per location, and only three per player. However, the IBF has also permitted players to carry logos, of the same size, on each sock and shoe. This is over and above the three permitted on the shirt.

Agencies