National doubles assistant coach Pang Cheh Chang
PETALING JAYA: It’s too quick to judge if the new 15-point scoring format is good or bad for badminton.
Junior men’s doubles head coach Pang Cheh Chang (pic) is not drawing any hasty conclusions about the new system just yet but wants to wait and see when it’s tested in senior competitions first.
Cheh Chang was part of the coaching team guiding the junior shuttlers in the just concluded Under-18 National Championships in Ipoh which was the first test event for the 3x15 system.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) are considering replacing the current 21-point system and will next test the 15-point format in selected lower tier senior tournaments from May until October.
Cheh Chang believes BWF were taking the right approach in testing the system in lower tier events first before deciding to implement it in the World Tour.
“I cannot say yet whether the 15-point system is good or bad as we are just experimenting it for the first time in the Under-18 tournament,” said Cheh Chang.
“We need to see the system in the senior events first. The level is different between junior and senior players.
“Juniors are not fully matured yet and their game is not yet stable. Only in the international senior competitions, the difference between the 21-point and 15-point systems will be more obvious.”
If the new system is implemented, Cheh Chang believes that players need to be quick to adapt well in matches to succeed.
“In this new format, those who can adapt to the changes in matches faster will be able to perform better,” said Cheh Chang.
“If they know how to handle the situation and are more versatile to changing their game plan, then they have the advantage.
“The 15-point system means the matches will be fast and there’s no time to think too much.
“But if you are flexible to handle this kind of strategy and your emotions are stable, then that’s an advantage
“In the 21 points system, you need more stamina as you need to play until maximum 30 points. The 15 points is a bit faster,” added Cheh Chang.
One of the senior events which will see the 15-point system tested will be the Malaysian International Challenge from Aug 12-17.
