The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced its approval of the significant renovations and cleaning efforts undertaken at the
Improvements Noted by BWF Officials
Selvaamresh Supramaniam, the BWF Events Director for Tournament Operations, reported that the federation conducted multiple inspections over the past seven months, observing substantial improvements at the venue. "We visited the stadium in January, February, April, June, and most recently in the last few days. A lot of work has been done," Supramaniam stated, highlighting the extensive renovations that have taken place.
Among the upgrades, all toilets have been renovated, deep cleaning has been performed, damaged seating has been replaced, and various structural repairs, including sealing and wiring work, have been completed. Additionally, the roof has undergone waterproofing, and an anti-pest gel has been applied to the roof beams to deter birds from nesting inside the arena. "This gel prevents birds from sitting or perching on the beams, similar to what you'll find near airports," he explained.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Plans
While Supramaniam expressed satisfaction with the current state of the venue, he emphasized that cleaning efforts would continue until the tournament kicks off on August 17. "We are happy, but we still need to keep checking for the next few days on the cleaning that's being done," he noted, acknowledging the challenges posed by ongoing construction and weather conditions.
Addressing the issue of stray animals, Supramaniam reported a marked improvement, stating that he had not seen any pigeons or monkeys during his recent visits. He also mentioned that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has taken measures to manage the stray dog population, successfully rounding up approximately 60 dogs from the complex.
In addition to addressing hygiene and safety concerns, the BWF is also focusing on enhancing the tournament's presentation, particularly the lighting, which received criticism during the India Open. "We are working on it. BAI agreed to bring in consultants from Indonesia, who have worked on the Indonesia Open and Indonesia Masters," Supramaniam said. However, he reiterated that the primary goal remains to ensure a smooth and problem-free competition. "Our main focus still is to deliver a tournament that's free from any problems. Competition comes first. The rest is all show."
