Mandatory skirts: BWF responds

Following the announcement of section 19.2 in the General Competition Regulations, Badzine sought the perspective of the BWF Council to gain insight on the story behind the passing on of this regulation and the steps BWF is taking to successfully implement this rule, which will require female players to wear skirts or dresses at all Grand Prix events and above from May 1^st of this year.

Below is excerpt from the answer given by Darren Parks, Events Director of the Badminton World Federation, to Badzine.

Discussion on the presentation of Badminton has always been part of the remit of BWF as the International Federation responsible for the good governance and growth of the Sport of Badminton.  However this specific regulation change can trace its roots to 2009 and the extensive review into the marketing and events structure of BWF conducted by external agency Octagon which made a series of recommendations to BWF Council.  These recommendations were aimed at developing BWF’s strategic aims and objectives to raise the profile of the Sport and included for example a re-launch of the BWF Superseries with key ‘focus’ tournaments, which are now the Superseries Premier tournaments.  Also included in the recommendations were the need to improve presentation of the Sport in many different ways and raise the profile of women in Badminton, with some relevant examples from Tennis where women players enjoy such high profile.  The significance of this change to GCR 19.2 is simple but important – that it helps equip BWF to pursue its vital strategic aims.

BWF do not regard this change as having a negative impact on Women and their involvement in International Badminton, in fact just the opposite, the reason for the change of Regulation is to promote the Women’s game at the highest levels of the Sport (level 1 to 3 tournaments).

BWF intend to develop guidelines to go alongside the new Regulation to ensure that it will not in any way discriminate against any religious or other beliefs, which is why this Regulation does not come into force until May.  BWF intend to implement this rule  in such a way that it respects women and it follows its aim of improving the profile of women at the top levels of the Sport.  For example players will continue to wear shorts if they wish but simply wear a skirt over the top of the shorts, as is often practiced already by some players.

The Athletes’ Commission were privy to the full and detailed feedback from Octagon and I am sure share the aims of BWF to raise the profile of Women’s Badminton and the Sport in general. The guidelines to go alongside the regulation will include a sounding out process in the Athletes’ Commission to get the best possible implementation method.

The May implementation date is also designed to allow Badminton Clothing manufacturers time to produce any required clothing for the players and not to cause any practical or logistical issues for the players and their sponsors.

To read more on the skirt issue, together with some athletes’ reactions, read our Badzine story HERE