'Any Change In Scoring Or Format Should Be...': Saina Nehwal Weighs In On Proposed 3x15 System

Last Updated:March 14, 2026, 15:05 IST

Nehwal has urged the BWF to carefully consider proposed changes to the scoring system, emphasizing that the current 21-point format preserves the sport's intensity.

Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal has urged the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to carefully consider proposed changes to the scoring system, emphasizing that the current 21-point format preserves the sport’s intensity and endurance.

The BWF has proposed replacing the 3×21 scoring format with a 3×15 system, with a vote on the change set to take place at the BWF Annual General Meeting in Horsens, Denmark, on April 25.

“Badminton has a rich tradition, and tournaments like the All England Open Badminton Championships and the BWF World Championships are special because of their intensity and endurance," said Saina, who recently joined the advisory board of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (I.I.M.U.N.).

“Any change in scoring or format should be carefully considered. The current 21-point system has worked well and players have adapted to it over many years. If changes are introduced, they should ensure that the quality of rallies and the competitive balance of the sport remain unaffected. Ultimately, the focus should be on fair competition and the spirit of the game."

According to the revamped BWF World Tour, the five Super 1000 tournaments, to be held across Asia and Europe, will introduce a new singles format, with 48 players competing in a group stage followed by knockouts. Doubles events will feature 32-pair knockout draws, and each Super 1000 tournament will span 11 days over two weekends.

Last week, Lakshya Sen finished runner-up at the All England Open after losing to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi in the men’s singles final, repeating his near-miss at the tournament after finishing second in 2022.

Praising Lakshya for his consistency on the big stage, Saina said: “Reaching the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships twice is a significant achievement. It’s one of the most prestigious tournaments in badminton and the level is always extremely high. Consistency at that stage shows that Lakshya is doing many things right. Sometimes in sport, the difference between winning and finishing runner-up is just a few points or moments of composure. If a player keeps reaching those stages, it usually means the title is not far away. So, it’s a very positive sign. It shows he has the ability and the mindset to compete with the best in the world," added the 2015 All England runner-up.

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