Amendments to the BWF Classification Regulations

On 26 and 27 August, the BWF Council met in Tokyo alongside the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships and approved a few amendments to the Section 5.5.5 – Classification Regulations.

The BWF started a review of the Classification Regulations in 2021 and set up a Classification Review Panel consisting of the BWF Head of Classification, Senior Classifiers, an External Medical Expert, the Chair of the Para badminton Athletes’ Commission and BWF staff (legal / Para badminton events technical). The key actions of the Panel were:

• Reviewed the current classification system.
• Identified enhancement areas.
• Consulted widely with the Para badminton community.
• Developed evidence-based proposals and provided justification for proposals.
• Consulted with the IPC.
• Presented a number of proposals to the BWF Council.

The proposal presented to the Council aimed to provide greater efficiency to future amendments to Classification Forms – and greater clarity to Appendix 2 – Minimal Impairment Criteria for Playing Wheelchair Badminton.

See the Classification Regulations (linked here) for the new wording which is marked in yellow. Below provides the wording changes as amended in track.

New Clause 10.1

A new Clause 10.1 Operational matters has been inserted on page 3 of the regulations which means that:

• The Secretary General in consultation with the Head of Classification is delegated to amend the four forms used for Classification from time to time (previously Appendix 7, 8, 9, 10 of the regulations) and that these are now removed from the Regulations but can continued to be downloaded from the one location on the website: https://corporate.bwfbadminton.com/para-badminton/classification/
  • Form 1 – Player Medical Information Form
  • Form 2 – Player Evaluation Consent Form
  • Form 3 – Para Badminton Classification Protest Form
  • Form 4 – Para Badminton Appeal Form

Appendix 2 – Minimal Impairment Criteria – page 38

Additional wording relates to the Wheelchair 1 and Wheelchair 2 player profile description – see page 38 of the Classification Regulations (linked here).

On 26 and 27 August, the BWF Council met in Tokyo alongside the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships and approved a few amendments to the Section 5.5.5 – Classification Regulations. The BWF started a review of the Classification Regulations in 2021 and set up a Classification Review Panel consisting of the BWF Head of Classification, Senior Classifiers, an External Medical Expert, the Chair of the Para badminton Athletes’ Commission and BWF staff (legal / Para badminton events technical). The key actions of the Panel were: Reviewed the current classification system. Identified enhancement areas. Consulted widely with the Para badminton community. Developed evidence-based proposals and provided justification for proposals. Consulted with the IPC. Presented a number of proposals to the BWF Council.   The proposal presented to the Council aimed to provide greater efficiency to future amendments to Classification Forms – and greater clarity to Appendix 2 – Minimal Impairment Criteria for Playing Wheelchair Badminton. See the Classification Regulations (linked here) for the new wording which is marked in yellow. Below provides the wording changes as amended in track. New Clause 10.1 A new Clause 10.1 Operational matters has been inserted on page 3 of the regulations which means that: The Secretary General in consultation with the Head of Classification is delegated to amend the four forms used for Classification from time to time (previously Appendix 7, 8, 9, 10 of the regulations) and that these are now removed from the Regulations but can continued to be downloaded from the one location on the website: https://corporate.bwfbadminton.com/para-badminton/classification/ Form 1 – Player Medical Information Form Form 2 – Player Evaluation Consent Form Form 3 – Para Badminton Classification Protest Form Form 4 – Para Badminton Appeal Form Appendix 2 – Minimal Impairment Criteria – page 38 Additional wording relates to the Wheelchair 1 and Wheelchair 2 player profile description – see page 38 of the Classification Regulations (linked here). Appendix 2 – Minimal Impairment Criteria – page 39   Additional wording – more details for one new criteria for Sport Class WH 1 under Eligible Impairment Type – Limb deficiency”. Example of Health Condition – Amputation resulting from trauma or congenital limb deficiency (dysmelia) – see page 39 of the Classification Regulations (linked here).

Please contact Syahmi Sabron [email protected] if you have any questions about the enclosed.