NEW DELHI: Can the Sports Authority of India (SAI) be absolved of responsibility for the embarrassing mess that occurred during the India Open Super 750 badminton at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium? That question has grown louder by the day as a series of venue-related failures have turned one of the BWF World Tour’s premier events into an example of administrative neglect.From a dirty environment and bird droppings ending up on the playing field, to a monkey roaming the stands and stray dogs wandering around the stadium complex, the problems were not isolated nor minor. The sight of an MCD dog catcher at the venue on Friday was a clear indication of how serious the situation had become and how far the tournament had strayed from international standards.
The India Open will be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium (part of the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex), a facility owned and maintained 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 onus of maintenance and upkeep lies with SAI, a point that several stakeholders say cannot be brushed aside.“Venue hygiene, safety and basic readiness are non-negotiable at a World Tour Super 750 event,” said a former Indian shuttler, “These are not issues that emerge overnight. Dirty buildings, animal entry and unfinished work indicate systemic failure, not just last-minute errors.”In this backdrop, sources told TOI that the stadium was handed over to the organizers only on January 2. “The window was small,” a BAI source admitted. “But that doesn’t explain the animal intrusion or the filthy environment. Those are basic maintenance issues.”“You cannot pass the buck entirely on BAI,” the source said.However, transferring the India Open to the IG Stadium without first stress-testing the venue through a national event was also a serious error of judgment on BAI’s part.Action from the organizers came late and felt reactive rather than proactive. Late Thursday night and throughout Friday, a frantic cleaning and scrubbing operation was launched at IG Stadium. Areas were hastily cleared and visible efforts were made to repair some of the “dirty” areas.A day into the tournament, after players raised complaints about the cold conditions, heaters were installed in the practice arena and other parts of the stadium often used by players, a move that only highlighted how poorly prepared the venue was at the start.“Fixing things after players complain is the worst possible approach,” said a former Indian shuttler. “By then the damage has already been done, both reputationally and otherwise.”While the BAI, as the main organizer, cannot be absolved of its responsibility, especially with the BWF World Championships taking place at the same venue in August, SAI’s role as manager of the stadium should also be in the spotlight. “The India Open was meant as a rehearsal for the World Championships. Instead, it has exposed deep cracks in infrastructure management. If this is not addressed urgently, August could be even more damaging,” said a former player.“This is not what the venue of a Super 750 tournament should look like, especially not a venue that will host the World Championships later this year. I find it very difficult to see how the World Championships could be held here,” Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt took to Instagram on Friday to reiterate her concerns.“The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Badminton Association of India (BAI) officials are working together to ensure a smooth and safe event,” an SAI official told TOI when contacted for a comment.“The venues were handed over to BAI in time for setting up the playing field, training ground etc. Routine cleaning and maintenance were done in advance. However, the presence of pigeons in the high-rise buildings of the stadium is a real problem. With large openings (air vents, ducts and shafts) in the stadium, it is a challenge to completely block the entry of pigeons. Efforts are being made to block vents and set nets wherever possible,” the official admitted. “Even stricter SOPs are being put in place to prevent future occurrences and ensure the success of such events.”Access and movement within the stadium complex only added to the chaos. The intersection near the mixed zone – a sensitive area used by players, officials, coaching staff, broadcasters and the media – had a large overlap, leading to congestion and confusion. Several players jogged through the mixed zone as part of their warm-up routines, while others appeared visibly disoriented and struggled to find basic facilities such as toilets.Adding to the disorder was visible debris all over the complex, while construction activities were still underway. Sand, cement and unfinished parts within the complex reinforced the impression that the tournament had been rushed through.“The IG Stadium site is a huge campus and there are a lot of renovation works going on at the property, including waterproofing work on one of the plazas. However, there is no construction dump near the main site,” SAI said in its defense, adding, “It is pertinent that major investments are required to renovate the stadiums as many services date back to 2010 and are therefore outdated and require continued 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 the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, has dedicated departments for infrastructure planning, development and maintenance. The team’s mandate includes ensuring world-class standards, liaising with agencies such as the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and addressing athletes’ concerns about conditions in the facilities.“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 for other purposes, inadequately maintained and often reused for non-sporting events without adequate restoration.”The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, also under the control of SAI, has regularly hosted non-sporting events such as concerts, weddings and private events during the off-season. In February 2024, a wedding building collapsed at the venue, raising serious questions about safety protocols and supervision.
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