The new best-of-three sets, 21-point system will be put in place for the major international tournaments to be held from February to May next year to test its popularity, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) has disclosed.
The decision was announced at the end of the three-day council meeting of the IBF in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
During the four-month period, the novel scoring method will be used in all international competitions, including the prestigious Thomas-Uber Cup finals to be held in Japan from April 28 to May 7.
The federation said if the new system was popular and endorsed by the players, it would become the official scoring system for all international competitions as well as the badminton event at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
Players and spectators alike will have a first taste of the reformed game tomorrow when the World Cup opens in Yiyang, Hunan. Only one Hong Kong player, Ng Wei, will be competing in the men's singles.
Chan Chi-choi, head coach of the Hong Kong badminton team, said it was difficult to speculate on the impact of the new system.