NewsIndia

By Ishaan Kapoor — 5 August 2026 — 3 min read

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has expressed satisfaction with the extensive renovations at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The venue is now prepared to host the upcoming World Championships, addressing significant hygiene and facility concerns that arose earlier this year.

The World Championships are set to return to India after 17 years, with the event scheduled to run from August 17-23. Preparations have focused on rectifying issues highlighted during the India Open Super 750 tournament in January.

Addressing Past Criticisms

During the India Open, players and officials raised criticisms regarding poor hygiene, unclean toilets, and the presence of pigeons and monkeys within the complex. These issues included bird droppings on courts and a monkey observed in the stands, leading to play disruptions, including during a semi-final match when debris from a bird’s nest fell onto the court.

BWF Events Director (Tournament Operations) Selvaamresh Supramaniam confirmed that the world body conducted multiple inspections over the past seven months. These inspections, which took place in January, February, April, June, and recently, revealed significant improvements at the stadium.

Renovations have included a thorough deep cleaning of the facility. All toilets have been renovated, and damaged seats have been replaced. Extensive sealing and wiring work has been completed, broken ceilings have been repaired, and waterproofing has been applied to the roof.

Efforts were also made to address the presence of pests and stray animals. An anti-pest gel has been applied to the roof beams to deter birds from perching inside the arena. Supramaniam noted that the gel prevents birds from sitting on the beams, similar to measures taken near airports.

He observed an improvement in the situation regarding stray animals, stating that he had not seen pigeons or monkeys during his recent visits. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) also took steps to remove stray dogs from the complex, with approximately 60 dogs reportedly rounded up and relocated.

Ensuring a Smooth Competition

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary, Sanjay Mishra, expressed confidence that issues related to birds and animals would not recur during the World Championships. He confirmed that damaged ceilings and exposed wiring have been repaired, and deep cleaning has been carried out.

Supramaniam emphasized that the primary reason for holding the India Open at this venue was to identify necessary improvements. He acknowledged the negative publicity but noted that it motivated all involved parties to make the required changes. While satisfied with the progress, he mentioned that cleaning efforts would continue until the tournament commences on August 17, especially given the presence of workmen and potential for dirt due to rain.

Beyond hygiene, efforts are also underway to enhance the tournament’s presentation, particularly the lighting. The lighting during the India Open had received criticism for being below expectations. The BAI has agreed to bring in consultants from Indonesia, who have experience with the Indonesia Open and Indonesia Masters, to improve this aspect.

Despite these presentation enhancements, Supramaniam reiterated that the main focus remains on delivering a problem-free competition. He stated that the competition itself takes precedence over other aspects. The stadium’s readiness ensures a smooth experience for participants and spectators alike, with the World Championships scheduled to begin on August 17.

The men’s singles title will be defended by China’s Shi Yuqi, while Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi was the winner in the women’s singles last year in Paris.

Source: m.rediff.com