Bird droppings, monkeys and smog: Inside the badminton controversy in 2026
The India Open is held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium (part of the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex), a facility owned and managed by SAI on behalf of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). While the Badminton Association of India (BAI) is the organizer of the event, the responsibility for upkeep and maintenance lies with the SAI, a point that several stakeholders feel cannot be dismissed.“Site hygiene, safety and basic preparedness are non-negotiables at the World Tour Super 750 event,” said the former India shuttler, “These are not problems that appear overnight. Dirty premises, animal intrusion and unfinished work point to systemic failure, not just last-minute blackouts.”In this regard, sources tell TOI that the stadium was handed over to the organizers only on January 2. “The window was small,” admitted a BAI source. “But that doesn’t explain animal trespassing or dirty surroundings. Those are basic maintenance issues.”“You can’t transfer the money completely to BAI,” the source said.However, handing the India Open to the IG Stadium without first stress testing the venue through a national event was also a serious misjudgment on the part of the BAI.Action from the organizers came late and was reactive rather than proactive. A frenzy of cleaning and scrubbing began at IG Stadium late Thursday night and throughout Friday. Areas were hastily cleaned up and visible attempts were made to repair some of the “dirty” areas.The day after the tournament, after players complained of cold conditions, heaters were installed in the training arena and other areas of the stadium frequently used by players, which only highlighted how poorly the venue was prepared to begin with.“Fixing things after players complain is the worst possible approach,” said the former India shuttler. “By then, the damage is already done, notoriously and otherwise.”While the BAI, as the main organiser, cannot be absolved of its responsibility, especially with the BWF World Cup scheduled for the same venue in August, attention should also be paid to SAI’s role as a stadium manager. “The India Open was supposed to be a test for the World Cup. Instead, it exposed deep cracks in infrastructure management. If not addressed urgently, August could be more damaging,” the former player said.“This is not what a Super 750 venue should look like, especially a place that should be hosting a World Championship this year. It’s very hard for me to imagine how a World Championship could be held here,” Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt took to Instagram to reiterate her concerns on Friday.“Officials from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Badminton Association of India (BAI) are working together to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the event,” a SAI official told TOI when contacted for a comment.“The pitches were handed over to the BAI in time for the establishment of pitches, training grounds etc. Routine cleaning and maintenance were done in advance. However, the presence of pigeons in the high altos of the stadium grounds is a real problem. With the large openings (air vents, pipes and shafts) in the stadium, it is a challenge to completely block the access of pigeons where possible attempts are being made and the deployment of officials. “More strict SOPs are being created to prevent future events and ensured the success of such events.”Access and movement in the stadium area only increased the chaos. The junction near the mixed zone – a sensitive area used by players, officials, technical staff, broadcasters and media – witnessed a lot of overlap, leading to congestion and confusion. Several players were seen running around the mixed zone as part of their warm-up routines, while others looked visibly disoriented as they struggled to find basic facilities such as toilets.Adding to the mess is visible debris throughout the complex, with construction activity still ongoing. Sand, cement and unfinished sections inside the complex added to the impression that the tournament was rushed through.“The IG Stadium site is a huge campus and there is a lot of modernization work going on in the site, including waterproofing work in one of the squares. However, there is no construction site near the main venue,” SAI said in its defense, adding: “It is relevant that major investments are needed to overhaul the stadiums, as many services date back to 2010 and require constant attention.”SAI, which is responsible for the maintenance and management of five major stadiums in Delhi, including Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex and Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, has dedicated divisions for infrastructure planning, development and maintenance. Its mandate includes ensuring world-class standards, liaising with agencies such as the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and addressing concerns raised by athletes regarding facility conditions.“The problem is not limited to one tournament or one venue,” said a former SAI official. “There has been a steady dilution of maintenance standards. Stadiums are overused, under-maintained and often converted to non-sporting events without adequate refurbishment.”The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, also under SAI control, often hosted non-sporting events such as concerts, weddings and private events in the off-season. In February 2024, a wedding pandal collapsed at the site, raising serious questions about safety protocols and surveillance.