The Badminton World Federation (BWF), in collaboration with the Badminton Association of India (BAI), can announce exciting innovations that will be implemented at the YONEX SUNRISE BWF World Junior Championships 2025 in Guwahati, India this October.
A new, updated relay system will be used in the mixed team tournament with the best of three sets up to 45 points, with each set comprising five matches – one of each event from men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
A version of the team relay system was first introduced at last year’s BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships 2024 in China with positive feedback from participants. That feedback was used to devise this restructured relay system for Guwahati.
In the individual tournament, the new three by 15 scoring system will be trialled as part of the wider testing and analysis programme being rolled out by BWF.
Both initiatives were approved by BWF Council at the recent BWF AGM in Xiamen, China.
BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund praised BAI and the Guwahati organising committee for their commitment to trialling these measures with the BWF later this year.
“We are delighted to present a forward-thinking championships promoting innovation for badminton and reflecting a progressive and modern approach by BAI, Guwahati and BWF,” Lund said.
“This is part of BWF’s wider long-term considerations for innovation in events and event delivery. The broader goal remains to modernise badminton in ways that protect athlete wellbeing while making the sport even more exciting and engaging for global audiences.
“It is essential that this process remains inclusive and well-informed, with any future decision guided by evidence, wide consultation, and what is in the best interest of badminton worldwide.
“That’s why it is necessary to test such innovations in live tournament settings and it is great that we have the endorsement and backing from our Member in India and the city of Guwahati who share the same vision as us.
“We look forward to an exciting and successful staging of the YONEX SUNRISE BWF World Junior Championships 2025 showcasing our most promising up and coming badminton stars.”
Virtual workshops for team managers and coaches will be held prior to the Guwahati championships to ensure all stakeholders are aligned with the regulations and operational procedures.
BWF will conduct stakeholder surveys and analyse vital match data to support all future decisions related to these innovations.
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