BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2025 Photo: VCG

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Qingdao city government in East China's Shandong Province to build the BWF Qingdao International Exchange Center and BWF Museum in the coastal city, aiming to promote global badminton development and cultural exchange. 

Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, who was elected as the new BWF president during the recent Sudirman Cup Finals in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, told the Global Times that China is a vital partner in badminton's present and future. 

China has one of the most advanced badminton structures globally, serving as an excellent model for players' development, facilities, and support systems. These structures offer a blueprint for other countries to strengthen their own badminton ecosystems and accelerate their progress, said Khunying from Thailand. 

With programs that connect grassroots development, youth talent pathways, facility management, and innovation in sports science, badminton will continue to thrive not only in China but throughout the world, learning from China's outstanding achievements, she noted.

The Qingdao project is one such initiative that reflects this vision. The Qingdao international exchange center is designed to become a global platform for communication, cooperation and shared development among badminton stakeholders. It will promote training, knowledge-sharing, and cultural exchange among athletes, coaches, referees and enthusiasts from local to international levels, said the 60-year-old Thai, who is the second woman president of the BWF. 

The core complex of the center and museum has been completed and is now entering the stages of interior finishing, artifact collection and exhibition planning. The campus features five main zones, covering a total construction area of 50,000 square meters.

The museum will collect, preserve and showcase the rich history and heritage of badminton. Through exhibitions, education and public engagement, it will help deepen global appreciation for badminton's cultural legacy, according to the BWF.

The cooperation between China and the BWF signals the beginning of new possibilities for badminton in Asia and beyond, which is founded on international cooperation, cultural promotion and inclusive development, the Thai added. 

BWF president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul Photo: Courtesy of BWF/Badmintonphoto

Play ambassadorial role

Zhang Jun, president of the Chinese Badminton Association, said that the center and museum will become a new platform for badminton enthusiasts around the world to engage in mutual exchange. It will help popularize the sport's history among young people and attract more youths from different countries and regions to take interest and participate in badminton.

China clinched the 2025 Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province after defeating South Korea 3-1 in the final, winning the biennial badminton mixed team world championship for the fourth consecutive time. It was China's 14th title in total since Indonesia was crowned in the first edition in 1989.

In addition, China also hosted the 2023 Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province and the 2024 Thomas & Uber Cup in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province. 

China has consistently demonstrated outstanding capacity in hosting world-class badminton events, and Xiamen certainly delivered a once-in-a-lifetime experience, adding another proud chapter to the Sudirman Cup legacy, said the president. "China's well-integrated and successful performance model offers a valuable source of inspiration that can be studied and thoughtfully adapted where appropriate."

The Chinese roster in Xiamen features both veteran in the men's singles, Shi Yuqi, and new shot in the women's singles, Wang Zhiyi. 

 "We also see great potential in China's top players, both current and retired, in playing a greater ambassadorial role in promoting badminton in other parts of the world," Khunying said.

For athlete's wellbeing

Since April, the BWF has begun trials on the new 3x15 scoring system in some low-level tournaments. The new system means a match is still the best-of-three games, but each game is won by the first player who scores 15 points (minimum difference of two points) instead of the current 21 points.

The new scoring system has sparked debate among professionals in the sport. Some feared a change would reshape the sport's entire training landscape as the current 21-point system has been in use for almost 20 years, while some believed that by shortening match duration, the 15-point system injects more excitement into the game and keeps the competition sharp and engaging.  

Three potential advantages have been observed in the new 15-point system compared to the current 21-point format, which are more intense rallies, critical phases of a match coming more quickly, and shorter match durations that might reduce physical demand on players, according to the BWF.

The broader goal remains to modernize badminton in ways that protect athlete wellbeing while making the sport even more exciting and engaging for global audiences, said Khunying.

"We are gathering feedbacks from players, coaches, officials, organizers, and other key stakeholders. The BWF Council will evaluate whether to propose the system for formal consideration at the next general meeting. Above all, we will protect the integrity of the game and stay committed to the principle of athlete-centric governance," she noted. 

"Ultimately, my goal is to make badminton a sport that truly belongs to the world, uniting people through opportunity, pride and shared achievement. We have a great ally in China to help achieve this. Looking ahead, the BWF sees great potential in deepening collaboration with China as we work together to further elevate the sport worldwide," she added.