New Delhi, January 16: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has reviewed conditions at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex during the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2026, following a series of high-profile complaints and logistical issues that raised concerns about New Delhi’s readiness to host the BWF World Championships in August.
Several incidents, including bird droppings on the court and air pollution affecting air quality, drew international scrutiny. These were not mere inconveniences—they directly impacted player safety and the health of top athletes, prompting urgent attention from both BWF and the Badminton Association of India (BAI).
Despite these challenges, in a statement on Thursday BWF acknowledged that the venue represents a significant upgrade over KD Jadhav Stadium, with improvements to the playing surface, flooring, gym, medical facilities, and overall space for athletes and officials. Areas such as cleanliness, hygiene, and animal control required immediate action, which BAI promptly addressed.
BWF noted that insights from this week’s tournament will guide further enhancements ahead of the BWF World Championships, when seasonal issues such as haze and cold are expected to be less severe.
“The priority remains providing a safe, high-quality environment for all participants,” BWF said, reaffirming its commitment to continuous improvements in partnership with BAI.
Source:BWF
Discussion about this post