Indonesia Open to see debut of line-call challenges

Badminton finally decided to embrace technology for contentious line decisions, opting for a new system that allows players two challenges per match.

The Badminton World Federation, which has promised to implement the system following the examples of sports such as tennis, announced that the new system would come into effect at the Indonesia Open Superseries in June. The Sudirman Cup (world mixed team championships) later this month will be used as a test event.

The player must issue the challenge immediately after the line call has been made, and before the commencement of the serve for the next rally. A player/pair should clearly state ‘challenge’ to the umpire and signal their request by raising their hand/arm simultaneously.

Both singles and doubles players will be allowed two challenges per match on line calls. They can challenge either the original line call or the umpire overrule. If the review shows that the player was right, he will retain two challenges. If the player’s first challenge is proven to be wrong, he will have one challenge remaining.

However, the system will be implemented only on TV courts. Courts without TV coverage will not be able to implement it, since the umpire determining the validity of the players’ challenge will use ultra slow motion instant replay, rather than a predictive system of the shuttle’s trajectory.

A statement from BWF said the system “comprises ultra slow motion cameras down the court lines which are sending images to a control position near the referee… On a signal from the umpire, the operator will display the images to the referee…He/she will then decide to uphold the line judges’/umpire’s decision or overturn it.”

BWF Deputy President Paisan Rangsikitpho was quoted as saying the system would give players “confidence that they can instigate change if they believe they have received a poor decision from on-court officials”.

A demonstration of the instant review system will be held during the BWF Sudirman Cup 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, though the challenge option will not be in effect for players.