PBSI's Relief After BWF Clarifies The Points For China And Hong Kong

Indonesian badminton players, Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja and Hafiz Faizal (Photo: PBSI)

JAKARTA - The Badminton World Federation (BWF) recently issued a decision to award points to China and Hong Kong in the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2021 (BAMTC) 2021. This is because the two countries did not participate in the 2020 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) because hit by COVID-19.

The policy regarding the awarding of points immediately triggered a negative response from a number of countries. Many considered the decision to be unfair, including Indonesia.

The reason is, the points given include mixed doubles numbers. Whereas in BAMTC, the mixed doubles number did not get points because the matches played were in the Thomas and Uber Cup formats.

Not long ago, BWF then clarified. The world badminton parent emphasized that the points awarded did not include mixed doubles. This clarification also made the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) calm.

"This is a fair decision for all. Indeed, this is what we want, namely clarity. Because other countries also do not get points from the mixed doubles at BATC 2020,"

Head of PBSI's Sub-Division of International Relations, Bambang Roedyanto

Apart from Indonesia, Malaysia also posed a similar question to BWF. They want to make sure the BWF decisions are fair to all parties.

Bambang then added that BWF is currently drafting rules regarding the number of compulsory tournaments that athletes must participate in. It's no secret, players find it difficult to compete due to limited travel due to COVID-19.

"Until now, there is no further information. The official decision will be announced further, so we'll just wait," said Bambang.