The Badminton World Federation (BWF) will change its format for the Thomas and Uber Cup competitions to prevent teams from trying to manipulate the system.

The BWF said changes would be introduced in 2010 after some countries had used weaker players in early matches to avoid meeting stronger teams in later rounds.

Under the new rules, only the top two teams will qualify from each group and a second draw will be held after the first rounds.

"This will be fairer to all and no one will have an idea who awaits them in the second round," BWF events chairman Paisan Rangsikitpho said.

The BWF decided to change the format after South Korea this year fielded an under-strength team in their first-round matches and lost to England and Malaysia.

The defeats meant they met Denmark in the quarter-finals and did not have to face Indonesia and China until the semi-finals and final respectively.

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