Preparations underway in Guwahati for the forthcoming World Junior Badminton Championships, overseen by BAI and BWF
2023 World Junior Championships Badminton Tournament to Introduce Innovative Scoring Systems
The 2023 World Junior Championships Badminton tournament, set to take place in Guwahati, India from October 6 to 19, will introduce two innovative scoring systems as part of the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) ongoing efforts to improve the format and enhance the excitement of junior badminton championships.
The mixed team event will employ an updated relay point system, where the first team to score a predetermined number of points wins the tie. While the exact point target for the 2023 tournament is yet to be announced, a similar system was used at the 2025 Badminton Asia Junior Championships, with the first team to reach 110 points emerging victorious.
For the individual events, a 3 games of 15 points scoring system will be trialed. This means matches will be played best of three games, each to 15 points, instead of the usual 21-point games in standard BWF tournaments.
These changes are aimed at improving the format and potentially increasing the pace of play in junior badminton championships. The relay system emphasizes cumulative team points across matches, while the 3x15 system modifies the length and pacing of individual matches.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) and BWF are working closely to prepare for the event, which is expected to attract approximately 55 nations. A meet-and-greet team has been put together for those coming via New Delhi, and additional immigration counters have been requested due to the large number of players coming from Malaysia or Singapore.
Last year, the team relay format posed some technical and logistical complications, but steps have been taken to ensure a smooth running of the matches this year. The tournament will take place at the BAI's National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati, with around 600-700 players and officials expected to attend.
The World Junior Championships will mark the second time India hosts the event, with the first being in Pune in 2008. However, concerns have been raised about meeting the current technical requirements for hosting a championships of this level due to the scoring system innovations.
The BWF team recently conducted a recce of the competition venue and expressed satisfaction with the hotels, venue, and practice courts for the upcoming World Junior Championships in Guwahati. Despite some criticism towards the playing conditions of the India Open in January by Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt and France’s Thom Gicquel, the BWF team remains optimistic about the upcoming event.
India has previously hosted Super 750, Super 300, and Super 100 badminton tournaments, as well as the Thomas and Uber Cups in 2014. The 2023 World Junior Championships promises to be an exciting addition to India's badminton tournament history.
- The innovative scoring systems introduced in the 2023 World Junior Championships Badminton tournament might also find their way into other sporting events in India, potentially revolutionizing the way popular sports like cricket are played.
- The Badminton Association of India (BAI) is collaborating with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to ensure the health and safety of all athletes and officials, especially for players traveling from Malaysia or Singapore.
- As India gears up to host the 2023 World Junior Championships Badminton tournament, efforts are being made to address any concerns regarding meeting technical requirements, with the aim of delivering a top-tier competition that showcases India's commitment to sports innovation and international sports diplomacy.
