Finally, instant review for badminton players (pic)

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A thing of the past? World No.1 Lee Chong Wei seen here disputing a line call in a tournament in 2010 in this picture. BWF will finally implement the instant review system allowing players to challenge line calls, starting at the World Super Series Finals in December.

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei gave a thumbs-up to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for finally agreeing to implement instant reviews, which allows a player to challenge line calls.

The BWF on Friday announced that the instant reviews would be used at the World Super Series Finals in Kuala Lumpur from Dec 10-15.

“Finally, they are doing it! BWF have been talking about it since January and they had even experimented using it in several tournaments. I am glad that they are putting it into practice at last,” said Chong Wei. A thing of the past? World No.1 Lee Chong Wei seen here disputing a line call in a tournament in 2010 in this picture. BWF will finally implement the instant review system allowing players to challenge line calls, starting at the World Super Series Finals in December.

“Players have been questioning the quality of line judging for some time. Now, we are taking the first step to arrest this problem,” he said.

BWF wanted to introduce it at the Indonesian Open this year but then decided to postpone it.

On Friday, the BWF released a statement saying that they would officially use the instant reviews at the World Super Series Finals, which would allow a player to challenge line calls twice during a match.

Challenges should be done immediately after the shuttle has landed and a player should raise their hand while clearly stating “challenge” to the umpire if they are unhappy with the call.

Following the players’ challenge of the call, an instant review of the shuttle landing will be triggered and displayed on a small monitor beside the referee.

If a player is successful in their challenge, they get to keep their two chances to challenge the call.

The right to challenge, however, will only take place for matches played on television court.

BWF’s secretary general Thomas Lund said that the decision to introduce the review system would certainly put a smile on the players’ faces.

“We know players have been eagerly awaiting the introduction of instant reviews and we are pleased to unveil one of the options to see how it works,” said Lund in a press statement.

“We have done lots of testing to finalise how this system works and we are confident it will add to the drama and excitement of the Super Series Finals for both the players and fans.

“The BWF looks forward to feedback from the players and obviously, if everything goes well, the plan would be to implement more instant reviews as soon as possible.”

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