Skirt tails
Female badminton players will have to swap their shorts for skirts to enhance the spectacle.
Maria Sharapova, the Russian tennis star, should watch out. If it's up to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), female players of this sport – a mix of volleyball, tennis, and shuttlecock – will soon be inspiring photographers to capture not only sporting images, but also those with a fashionable and sexy appeal. Starting next month, players will have to retire their shorts and exchange them for skirts or dresses in major competitions, including the Super Series and Grand Prix Gold tournaments. This is all with the aim of "ensuring attractive badminton presentations in tournaments organized or sanctioned by the BWF," according to the Federation's regulations.
The new rule was well received by the sport's stars. Third-ranked player in the world, Indian Saina Nehwal, approves of the measure. "For me, it's all good. There's no problem at all playing in a skirt," she says. Her compatriot Jwala Gutta also states that she sees no difficulty in leaving her shorts aside, but is bothered by the way the rule was imposed, without any dialogue or consultation.
“I don’t see any problems, because I wear short skirts on and off the court,” she points out. “I know they (the officials) just want to add glamour to the sport, but I don’t think they acted in the most appropriate way. Clothing is a completely personal choice.” Restrictions aside, Jwala admits that the example of her tennis colleagues should be followed by badminton athletes. “They should make pretty skirts like Maria Sharapova’s. I’m prepared to wear them, and I’m sure the other girls are too,” she assures.