Former world No. 1 Roslin Hashim says the previous 15-point system, complete with service overs, truly tested a badminton player’s fitness and artistry on the court.
Speaking on an episode of the Julang podcast, Roslin said that when he first heard about the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) plan to change the point system to 15, he assumed it would be the same as before.
However, the world body plans to introduce a shorter 15×3 scoring system in selected tournaments, aiming to replace the current 21×3 format.
“If you ask me which point system I prefer – the old 15, the seven, or 21 – I would say the 15 with service overs,” said Roslin.
“It’s true that the matches were longer, but that was where you could truly test a player’s fitness and skill. Whether you wanted to play fast, slow, or rely on technique, it was all possible under the 15-point system. Now, it’s all about speed, especially in doubles. That’s it.”
Speaking to Julang hosts, seasoned journalist Rizal Hashim and Twentytwo13 editor Haresh Deol, Roslin agreed that with the shorter, faster gameplay, players’ training regimes would have to change. He added that the shift in the scoring system could benefit attacking players, particularly those from South Korea, Taiwan, India, Japan, and China.
“Players from these countries already play a very fast game. They don’t rely on lobs. Some of our Malaysian players still do. Just imagine – if they are already playing fast under the 21-point system, they will be even faster with 15×3.
“So, these players will clearly have the advantage,” he added.
Roslin also spoke about his strict training regime under Datuk Misbun Sidek and his experiences dealing with passionate fans.
Catch the full episode of the Julang podcast on YouTube or Spotify.
