Author(s): Ayush Garg

Abstract:
This study was undertaken to examine the fan perceptions regarding different scoring rules used in badminton. The study was guided by researches on fan perception in sports which predominantly focused on team sports like basketball, football and cricket. In order to collect data about subjective opinions of fans, 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with badminton fans. The dimensions of fan perception identified to be suitable for badminton were: fan engagement, fan association and loyalty, entertainment and viewership, and game structure and strategy and interview questions were based on these dimensions. Data collected from 10 participants was analysed using thematic analysis, in which a total of 3 themes and 2 sub-themes each, emerged. The findings from the analysis revealed that fans considered the scoring formats that took long hours to complete were repetitive, boring, slow-paced and involved defensive gameplay. On the other hand, for the shorter time length of formats, fans described it as uncertain, fast-paced, time-saving and involving attacking gameplay. Study participants were found to be most interested and entertained by the game played under shorter time length formats like 11 points best of 5 sets and 15 points (without service break rule) best of 3 sets. Interestingly, the study also unexpectedly revealed that results of this study contradicted to some of the theories and notions established in the previous researches and hence, suggests a further investigation in the concerned subject areas.

DOI: 10.22271/kheljournal.2021.v8.i2c.2046

Pages: 179-182  |  677 Views  116 Downloads

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