New skirt rule irks shuttlers
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Badminton's new dress code has irked some of the female shuttlers, who insist wearing a skirt hampers their on-court movement.
The new Badminton World Federation code, that comes into effect from May 1, requires all female players to wear skirts in grand prix tournaments and above "to ensure attractive presentation of badminton".
Last year's Asian Championship winner Li Xuerui, is among those who has problems with the new code.
"I did wear a skirt in the All-England tournament last month but it was so big that it even affected my performance," she said yesterday.
Some of the Indian and Indonesian shuttlers are also unhappy with the rule, as is Beijing Olympics doubles winner Yu Yang from China.
"I don't like wearing skirts. I am not used to them. When I wear a skirt, I don't know how to play," Yu said.
Compatriot and world No. 1 Wang Shixian, however, is not making a fuss and appeared in a black skirt in her first round victory at the Asian Championship in Chengdu.
"The new rule is effective on May 1 so I am adapting myself to it now," she said.
World No. 3 Saina Nehwal from India said that she was unhappy with the new rules.
"The stadium is always packed when I play, even if I'm in shorts," she said. "When pictures of me and other players in flying skirts come out in the papers ...there will be opposition."
