KUALA LAMPUR: Badminton's chiefs have denied a new rule requiring women players to wear skirts is sexist, saying they are simply aiming at a “stylish and aesthetic” look to attract a bigger audience. Women playing in the sport's top tournaments are compelled to wear skirts or dresses, even if they are over the top of shorts or trousers. But wearing shorts and trousers alone is banned. BWF deputy president Paisan Rangsikitpho denied women were being exploited and said the skirts would not have to be short. But he insisted the sport had to “differentiate the women's game”. “It has never been the intention of the BWF to portray women as sexual objects, and nor is that what we are doing,” he said. “We need to be able to able to differentiate the women's game and the ruling is part of a larger campaign to enhance the presentation profile of the sport,” he added.
