22 Apr 2011

Badminton players forced to wear dresses

6:05 pm on 22 April 2011

The introduction of badminton's controversial 'skirt rule' has been postponed by a month to grant female players more time to adapt to the dress code, says the game's governing body.

The Badminton World Federation code, which requires all female players to wear skirts or dresses in major tournaments to ensure attractive presentation of badminton will now be implemented on June 1.

Some players have objected to the rule saying it hampers their movement on court and makes them uncomfortable.

The rule, which has been criticised by female players in China, Indonesia and India, does allow players to continue to wear shorts, provided they're underneath a skirt.