WELLINGTON: Badminton's world governing body has decided to scrap a controversial rule that would have forced female players to wear skirts in competition.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF), who held their annual general meeting in Qingdao, China, at the weekend, had already delayed the implementation by a month until June 1 following an outcry amongst female players.

It said after the meeting it would continue to investigate the issue following further consultation with player representatives, who had been instrumental in getting the body to change the implementation of the rule.

“There have been various feedbacks from many quarters and after taking into account all these comments, especially those from the athletes commission, it is our recommendation to council to do further study before implementing new clothing regulations,” Women in Badminton committee's Nora Perry said in a statement.

“It is still our intention to focus on a better presentation of the game, but we will like to broaden the scope to include both men and women, and the feedback will also include views from various stakeholders such as the clothing manufacturers.”

Players and officials welcomed the shelving of the rule.

“It is a very good decision by the BWF. They couldn't have gone ahead with the mandatory skirt ruling anyways,” India's top women's doubles player Jwala Gutta was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.

“It can never be a compulsion on the players and it is good that they are rethinking the decision.”