7-point format to be reviewed: Gopichand

Badminton's seven-point format, which is less than a year old, is likely to be reviewed during the forthcoming Thomas Cup championship in China, in May this year, former All England champion Pulella Gopichand said on Wednesday.

Gopichand, who failed to retain his crown at the just-concluded tournament in Birmingham, told newsmen, on return from England, that international shuttlers are divided on the seven-point system and most favour a return to the original 15-point game format.

"It will be reviewed during the Thomas Cup matches in China," he added.

The new format can throw very unexpected results because some players are yet to adjust themselves to it.

"I have adjusted (my game) to some extent, but will still have to work it out," he said.

Gopichand, who played the All England tournament despite not recovering fully from a serious ankle injury, said though he was "pretty disappointed" with his performance "it would be asking for too much if I had expected something better".

He observed: "I had no time to prepare for the tournament.I had done weight training and yoga to keep fit."