Game looks for a little colour
Badminton
is to experiment with coloured clothing and names on players' backs in a bid to brighten its image.
Instead of the traditional largely all-white strip, players at this year's World Cup and World Grand Prix finals will be able to wear any colour clothing they wish as long as it is not offensive or likely to distract the opposition.
In a move that mirrors major sports, players may also carry their surnames on the back of their shirts.
David Shaw, the International Federation executive director, said: "We are looking at ways of improving our presentation. We have got to make our game look better."
The experiment starts in September in Jakarta, Indonesia, at the World Cup and concludes at the World Grand Prix Finals in Singapore in December.
During the World Cup, players will also be asked about their views on advertising and team colours.
During the experiment, only players' names may appear on the back of shirts. Sponsors' titles or logos will have to be elsewhere on the clothing.
The style and size of lettering for names will be the same as those currently used for the name of their country.
, which made its debut as an Olympic sport in 1992, has its most fervent following in Indonesia and Malaysia and is popular in other parts of Asia.
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