Mumbai:
All the Indian and overseas players will have no difficulty in adapting to the 15-point a game format in the Premier Badminton League commencing here tomorrow, said the participating teams’ coaches today.
“It’s simply the case of (the existing) 21 (points) to 15. They have to adjust and they will do it,” said Delhi Aces coach and former national women’s singles champion Madhumita Bisht.
“There is no advantage to one player. They will adjust. Even in practise we give them different scenarios (to play for),” said former national men’s champion Arvind Bhat who is coaching Bengaluru Top Guns.
Another former men’s national champion Anup Sridhar, debuting as coach for Awadhe Warriors, said that the matches will be faster and will end quicker.
“They will end in 30-40 minutes, rather than the 60-70 minutes it takes nowadays. It will be beneficial for one type of player, the attacking player,” said Sridhar who added that this was the way badminton was heading post the Rio Olympic Games.
“For me the 11-point game was too short and 21 too long.
15 point a rally game is preferable,” said Madhumita.
Mumbai Rockets’ coach Ram Nayyar, a Canadian, said this was the way the game should proceed to make it more professional.
“As long as the players know the order of the matches in advance it’s fine. I am a Canadian and I know how ice hockey rules were changed (to suit broadcasters),” was his take on the tweaks to the rules such as “unpredictable player draws”, announced today by title sponsors - Star Sports.
“India’s role in growth of badminton is spectacular, money-wise and in exposure,” he added.
