‘Instant review system’ to be implemented in badminton

Badminton will soon follow in the footsteps of cricket and tennis by implementing an ‘instant review system’, which will use technology to aid on-court officiating. The system will be implemented at this year’s Indonesian Open. This is the first time in badminton history that such a system is being implemented, according to a statement issued by BWF.

The decision to implement the review system followed a vote by the Badminton World Federation Council last week to amend regulations to permit the introduction of a challenge structure. The Sudirman Cup (world mixed team championship) will be a test event, while the Indonesian Open in June will be the “live” debut of instant reviews which will allow players to contest line calls.

Paisan Rangsikitpho, BWF Deputy President and Chair of the Events Committee, called the BWF decision a progressive development for badminton. “There will be a test set-up at next month’s Sudirman Cup in Kuala Lumpur and thereafter the intention is to go live at the Indonesian Open. We are obviously still in an experimental phase so we will likely not implement instant-review technology in all tournaments right now,” he said. The BWF, he added, wanted to ensure “complete fairness” on line calls. Players in the past have called for the association to follow the example of tennis.

“We are certain players will welcome this news as BWF continues its quest to be innovative and advance badminton. We have already received the full support of the BWF Athletes’ Commission which represents players,” said Rangsikitpho. “What we are doing is similar to other sports – the rules and principles are essentially the same as sports such as tennis, though the technology and process may differ slightly. At the end of the day we want to further enhance the integrity of match play and the decisions which are made.”

Emma Mason, Chair of the BWF Athletes’ Commission, was quoted as saying the system was “an important development for our players and for badminton as a whole”.

“The inclusion of such modern technology brings badminton into line with leading sports such as tennis and football which are already using or implementing this type of system. The Athletes’ Commission looks forward to working closely with the players and the BWF to ensure the instant review system is a successful and valuable introduction to our sport,” she was quoted as saying in the BWF statement.

Rangsikitpho said the federation was examining the (review) technologies on the market. “This decision is more about the rules than (about) the exact technology,” he said. “We are still considering various options but it will be a camera-based system which makes it possible for a line-call referee to reassess the call with slow-motion technology.

“We want to get the mechanics of this operation working properly and ensure that both players and match officials understand how it should be done – step by step. That’s our priority right now,” he said.