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'Sexist' badminton skirt rule remains in limbo

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-06-17 10:06

Wang Shixian of China wearing a skirt returns the shuttle during women's singles in the final match of the 2011 Sudirman Cup, in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, May 29, 2011. [Photo/CFP]

Japanese table tennis player Naomi Yotsumoto sports a fashionable dress at the Japanese National Championships, file photo. [Photo/sports.qq.com]

SINGAPORE – Badminton's controversial 'skirt rule' has not been scrapped but is merely in limbo while officials wait for more consultation after initial feedback deemed it sexist, said the governing body Thursday.

A new Badminton World Federation (BWF) code had required all female players to wear skirts or dresses in major tournaments in order to "to ensure attractive presentation of badminton," but the rule has not been implemented after an outcry.

Related readings:  Rule requiring skirts in badminton suspended  BWF to better study on new skirt rule  New skirt rule irks Chinese shuttlers  New dress code for Olympic hopefuls

This week's Singapore Open had been slated as the first tournament to implement the rule, but marketing manager for the BWF's Super Series S. Selvam said a decision was in limbo.

"The rule has been deferred until we get another proposal from the women's commission," Selvam said at the city state's Indoor Stadium.

"There was a lot of feedback from players. But a lot of the feedback actually came from the public saying that it was too sexist," he continued.

The legislation - that stipulates female players must wear a skirt during competition even if they also wear shorts - is to be reassessed in December.

"What was decided was to get the women's commission and the ethnic scholarship to gather feedback from manufacturers, players and other interested parties, and to come up with another proposal for the best dress code for female and male players," Selvam added.