Shuttles may go synthetic — Gunalan

“If it happens, the game will undergo tremendous changes. The charmof the game is the feather cock. A feather cock drops symmetrically and seldom jerks or wobbles while landing. Even while executing dribbles, the shuttle cock maintains the right balance. There will be dramatic changes in the flight, trajectory, if a plastic shuttle cock comes into vogue. I think the change is imperative,” he added.

He felt India has all the potential to crack into the top 10 in the next millennium. “The game is growing in the right direction. There are a good number of committed administrators and the game is on the right track,” he opined.

He said the Satellite tournaments provided opportunity for the weaker nations to exhibit skills and earn the vital IBF points. “But this time, there are too many withdrawals. Malaysians pulled out because it’s holiday season down there and it is difficult to make the travel arrangements. Another factor is the general elections, which was held recently. IBF and ABC are still contemplating whether to take action against the erring nations in theSatellite circuit. But in Grand Prix, if any team or individual withdraws one week before the tournament, a fine of $250 is levied.”

He said the decentralisation of activities by ABC has done a whale of good to the growth of game in Asia. “We have four regional directors looking after four regions in the ABC circuit — South-East Asia (Asean countries), East Asia (Japan and China), South Asia (SAARC countries) and West Asia (Middle East). The regional directors take are of the growth and promotion of the game. The stress is now on the development of the game in South and West Asia.”

Incidentally, the regional directors meeting is to be held on Dec 18. Badminton Association of India president VK Verma is one of the regional directors.

He said as badminton has been accorded the status of medal sport in the Olympics, with five gold medals at stake, more countries are taking to this game seriously. There are already 140-odd countries under the IBF umbrella.

He also said to make the game arespectator-friendly, efforts are on to change the format of Thomas and Uber Cups in the future. He said discussions are on to do away with the time-consuming best-of-five games and introduce 21-point rally system with small breaks in the middle and no service over, to lure the spectators and media.