KUALA LUMPUR: Former national coach Rashid Sidek has strongly criticised the new relay scoring system introduced in the mixed team event at the World Junior Championships, urging the Badminton World Federation (BWF) never to consider it again for international badminton.
The 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games bronze medallist hopes the BWF will stop meddling with the scoring system.
The relay format was used for the first time in Nanchang, China, as an experiment, replacing the traditional 21-point best-of-three system.
It comprises 10 matches, with each game played to 11 points. The first team to reach 110 points is declared the winner.
According to the BWF, this new system was designed to give lesser badminton nations a chance to challenge the top teams.
However, Rashid firmly believes the relay format does not test a player's true ability.
"The relay system does not accurately measure the skill level of a badminton player or pair," Rashid told Timesport.
In Nanchang, Indonesia capitalised on the new format to end China's dominance, winning the final 110-105.
Several powerhouse nations like Denmark (eighth), Thailand (ninth), South Korea (13th), and England (15th) even failed to live up to their rankings.
Surprisingly, non-traditional badminton nations like the United States (fifth), France (10th), the United Arab Emirates (11th), and Poland (12th) performed much better than expected.
Rashid believes this experiment should be the end of BWF's attempt to revolutionise the sport's scoring system.
"BWF may have its reasons, but we can all see that the relay system will not help the development of badminton.
"I hope it was just a one-off experiment in Nanchang and that it will never be used in future team events."
He went on to explain that the 21-point system better reflects the sport's physical and mental demands.
"Badminton is the toughest racquet sport, testing players' skill, power, and endurance. But in Nanchang, the relay system took away the excitement.
"In the 21-point format, players only start finding their rhythm after 11 points. But in the relay system, the game ends when a player wins the 11th point.
"In team events, the 110-point system is equivalent to slightly more than five games or about two full matches under the traditional format.
"That's too short to truly test a team."
He added: "In the traditional format if one team is down 2-0, they can still win the remaining matches to take the tie. The relay system kills off that excitement early on, making it almost impossible for a comeback once a team gains the lead."
Rashid hopes BWF will not continue experimenting and introducing it in the Thomas Cup, Uber Cup, and Sudirman Cup.
"It would take away the thrill of badminton if they continue with this experiment," Rashid warned, expressing his frustration that the World Junior Championships were used as a testing ground for the new format.
Fortunately, the individual events at the World Junior Championships will revert to the traditional 21-point best-of-three system.