New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Stadium prepared for Badminton World Championships

By Arjun Nair / 05.08.2026

By Arjun Nair — 5 August 2026 — 3 min read

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has expressed satisfaction with the upgrades at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, confirming its readiness to host the upcoming World Championships. The venue underwent extensive renovations to address issues related to hygiene and facilities that were highlighted during the India Open Super 750 tournament earlier in the year.

The World Championships are scheduled to take place from August 17-23, marking the event’s return to India after 17 years. The improvements were implemented following significant criticism regarding the stadium’s condition during the India Open in January 2026, where players and officials reported poor hygiene, unclean toilets, and the presence of pests.

Addressing Past Criticisms

During the India Open, play was disrupted on multiple occasions, including a semi-final match where debris from a bird’s nest fell onto the court. Reports also noted bird droppings on courts and a monkey observed in the stands. These incidents led to considerable negative attention for the venue.

Selvaamresh Supramaniam, BWF Events Director (Tournament Operations), stated that the world body conducted several inspections over the past seven months. These visits, occurring in January, February, April, June, and most recently, confirmed significant progress in the renovation efforts. He noted that extensive work had been completed across the stadium.

The renovations included a thorough deep cleaning of the facility. All toilets were renovated, and damaged seats were replaced. Additionally, sealing and wiring work was carried out, broken ceilings were repaired, and waterproofing was applied to the roof. These measures were specifically aimed at rectifying the shortcomings identified during the previous tournament.

Efforts also focused on pest control and animal management. An anti-pest gel was applied to the roof beams to deter birds from perching inside the arena. This gel is designed to prevent birds from sitting on the beams, similar to systems used near airports. Supramaniam mentioned that he had not observed any pigeons or monkeys during his recent visits, indicating the effectiveness of these measures.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) also took action to manage stray dogs within the complex. According to reports, approximately 60 stray dogs were rounded up and relocated, with further efforts planned to address any remaining animals. Cleaning operations are expected to continue up until the tournament’s start date on August 17, despite the ongoing presence of workmen and potential for dirt due to rain.

Enhancing Tournament Presentation

Beyond hygiene and pest control, improvements are also being made to enhance the overall presentation of the tournament, particularly concerning lighting. The lighting at the India Open was criticised for being below expectations. To address this, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) agreed to engage consultants from Indonesia, who have experience with events like the Indonesia Open and Indonesia Masters, to improve the lighting conditions.

Sanjay Mishra, Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary, 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 completed. Mishra highlighted that hosting the India Open at the venue served its purpose by identifying necessary improvements.

While acknowledging the negative publicity surrounding the venue’s previous state, Supramaniam noted that it motivated all involved parties to work towards the necessary improvements. He emphasised that the primary goal remains to deliver a problem-free competition, with the competitive aspect taking precedence over other presentation elements.

The World Championships will feature top international players, including Shi Yuqi of China, who will defend his men’s singles title. Akane Yamaguchi of Japan was the women’s singles winner in Paris last year. The tournament is set to commence on August 17.

Source: m.rediff.com