NCW, Indian women shuttlers express reservations on new dress code

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Indian women shuttlers on Tuesday expressed reservations on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) initiative to glamorise the sport by making it compulsory to wear skirts on the court as they got the backing from the National Commission for Women (NCW) said that forcing a dress code to make a game attractive was ‘wrong’.

The new dress code comes into effect from May 1 and it requires the players to wear skirts or dresses in Grand Prix events and above.

"Sports should be treated as sports. Forcing a dress code to make a game attractive is wrong," Yasmin Abrar said.

"What is important is your performance and not what you wear. If required, we will write to the Badminton World Federation (BWF)," she added.

India's highest ranked women's doubles player and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jwala Gutta said the new dress code will not affect her as she is used to wearing skirts but will bother those who are used to wearing long shorts.

"I am comfortable with skirts and dresses both. But other players might not be comfortable doing the same. A lot of them wear shorts as they find comfort in that," Jwala said.

"It is good that the world body wants to glamorise the sport but you can't impose what to wear and what not wear to anyone. We have a right to choose what to wear."

Saina Nehwal, who generally wears shorts, however said she does not have any problem with the new ruling.

"It is not an issue. It is always difficult to accept something new," she said.

Jwala's doubles partner Ashwini Ponappa concurred with her teammate's views.

"I feel happy about the new code as I am comfortable wearing it. But I know a lot of girls would not be comfortable. It is quite interesting for those who like it," Ponnappa said.

"A lot of Indian players like wearing shorts as they have always played with shorts but now they will have to wear skirts, something which they are not used to," she added.

This apex body's decision to popularise can be linked to tennis in which women players are seen wearing designer and colourful outfits on the court.

Jwala, suggested, rather than forcing players to wear skirts, the BWF should tell the sponsors to start making designer dresses.

"The federation should have told all the sponsors to start making colourful dresses for the players. This is one way we can glamorise the sport. But I still feel players who are not comfortable with it should not be forced," she said.