The last time Yip Pui-yin wore a skirt for competition was five years ago, but the Hong Kong number one will have to abandon her shorts from June 1 to conform with a controversial new clothing rule.
'I won't say I hate wearing a skirt, but I am not used to it,' Yip, ranked 16th in the world and Hong Kong's brightest hope for next year's London Olympics, said.
'I run and jump a lot on the court, and it's fine when wearing shorts. There will definitely be some psychological effects if I wear a skirt when doing the same actions. I just hope my performance will not be affected, as the London Olympics qualifiers have just begun,' said Yip, who won the 2009 East Asian Games singles title. 'Over the years, I have received more than 20 skirts from my sponsors, but I gave them all to my friends.'
The new dress code, which requires all female players to wear skirts or dresses in major tournaments 'to ensure attractive presentation of badminton', has been deferred to June 1 after an outcry from players and officials.
The World Badminton Federation responded to criticism, saying it had 'never been the intention to portray women as sexual objects' and the 'stylish presentation' was important to raise the sport's popularity.
China and Indonesia, as well as Scandinavian countries, have objected, with players saying skirts hamper their movement on court and are uncomfortable.
