The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi has received approval from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) following extensive renovations. These upgrades ensure the venue is prepared to host the upcoming World Championships, addressing previous concerns regarding hygiene and facilities.
The stadium had faced criticism during the India Open Super 750 tournament in January, where players and officials reported issues such as poor hygiene, unclean toilets, and the presence of pigeons and monkeys within the complex. These problems led to disruptions, including debris from a bird’s nest falling onto the court during a semi-final match, and bird droppings being observed on courts. Television footage also showed a monkey in the stands during the earlier tournament.
Addressing Past Criticisms
BWF Events Director (Tournament Operations) Selvaamresh Supramaniam confirmed that the world body conducted multiple inspections over the past seven months. These visits, which occurred in January, February, April, June, and again recently, revealed significant improvements. Supramaniam noted that a substantial amount of work has been completed at the venue.
Renovations included comprehensive cleaning, the replacement of damaged seats, and extensive sealing and wiring work. Broken ceilings have been repaired, and waterproofing measures were implemented on the roof. These efforts were specifically aimed at rectifying the shortcomings identified during the India Open earlier in the year.
To combat the presence of birds, an anti-pest gel has been applied to the roof beams. This gel is designed to prevent birds from perching inside the arena, similar to measures used near airports. Supramaniam observed that the venue was in a much better state compared to the India Open, although cleaning operations will continue until the tournament commences on August 17.
Efforts were also made to manage stray animals. Supramaniam stated that he had not observed any pigeons during recent visits, attributing this to either the presence of many people or the effectiveness of the gel. He also mentioned not seeing any monkeys. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has taken steps to remove stray dogs from the complex, with reports indicating that approximately 60 dogs were rounded up and relocated. Authorities are confident they will be able to round up any remaining stray animals.
Enhancing Tournament Experience
Beyond hygiene and pest control, improvements are also being made to the overall presentation of the tournament, particularly regarding lighting. The lighting during the India Open had been criticised for being below expectations. To address this, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) agreed to bring in consultants from Indonesia, who have experience working on events like the Indonesia Open and Indonesia Masters.
Despite these enhancements, Supramaniam emphasised that the primary focus remains on delivering a problem-free competition. He stated that the competition itself is the priority, with other aspects contributing to the overall show. The venue’s return to hosting the showpiece event marks its first time in India in 17 years, with the tournament scheduled from August 17-23.
BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra expressed confidence that issues related to pigeons, other birds, and animals will not occur during the World Championships. He highlighted that the damaged ceiling and exposed wiring have all been repaired, and deep cleaning has been thoroughly carried out. Supramaniam added that hosting the India Open at this venue served its objective by identifying necessary improvements, acknowledging the negative publicity but noting it motivated everyone towards the required changes.
The World Championships will feature top players, including Shi Yuqi of China, who will defend his men’s singles title, and Akane Yamaguchi of Japan, who won the women’s singles in Paris last year. Cleaning efforts at the stadium are set to continue until the tournament begins on August 17.
Source: m.rediff.com
