IBF slams 'sexist' scoring meet

An extraordinary general meeting of the International Badminton Federation to look into the sport's "sexist" scoring system should have waited until the annual general meeting in May, the IBF said on Wednesday.

England secured an EGM, likely to be held in March, after getting the signatures of 30 countries, who argue the system discriminates against women and the decision was reached unconstitutionally.

In doubles matches, women play best-of-three, first to 11 (3x11) as opposed to the men's 3x15. Mixed doubles is also 3x11.

England are to press for 5x9 all-round and want it introduced before the next Olympic qualifying period which starts in May, ahead of the date of the AGM.

An IBF statement on Wednesday said its ruling council had discussed concerns about scoring during a meeting in Bangkok in November and still maintain that the decision taken last May was reached in good faith and followed the instructions of the members at the 2002 AGM.

It added:

"Nevertheless, it recognises and respects the rights of its member associations to air their concerns in this way and looks forward to reaching an outcome which is both acceptable and beneficial to the future development of the game and which will put this matter to rest."

The IBF's council was delegated last May to decide on a new scoring system after the scrapping of a year-long flirtation with a 5x7 experiment, which was seen as more television friendly but was not universally popular.

English badminton's chief executive Stephen Baddeley argues the council adopted a system which was not among those the AGM asked them to decide on.

Other countries joining the protest are Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden and Ireland.