PV Sindhu Backs Venue Upgrades for BWF World Championships

PV Sindhu has praised the efforts being made to prepare Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Stadium for the upcoming BWF World Championships, saying the work reflects the commitment to welcome the badminton world to India. The tournament is scheduled to run from August 17 to 23, with the world championships returning to India after 17 years.

Organisers have undertaken structural and operational upgrades at the venue after problems during the India Open in January, when pigeons twice stopped a second-round match between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew. Complaints concerning hygiene and Delhi’s smog also placed the Badminton Association of India under pressure following that event.

Bird-control measures and stadium changes

The Badminton Association of India and the Sports Authority of India have introduced a series of measures intended to keep birds, insects and animals away from the arena. Vents have been sealed, while wooden doors have been replaced by a double-door entry system that includes an automatic outer door before the regular doors.

A non-toxic gel sourced from the United States has been applied around the stadium’s ducting to repel birds and insects. Portable machines designed to mimic predatory bird calls have also been installed as an additional measure against pigeons.

SAI Executive Director Ambar Pratap Singh said planning began in February after the India Open exposed the work needed at the old venue. He said the upgrades extended beyond the arena’s structure, including work around the lake near the stadium, new or refurbished seating, painting of buildings, roof treatment and repairs to expansion joints.

Singh said the work was a joint effort involving SAI, the Central Public Works Department and BAI. He added that the Badminton World Federation was satisfied with the work completed and the venue’s condition before BAI takes the final steps to beautify the facility for the event.

Sindhu welcomes behind-the-scenes effort

Reports have indicated that specialists capable of mimicking langur cries could also be on duty as organisers seek to keep monkeys away from the wider campus. Sindhu responded positively to the unusual measure in a post on X, writing: “You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort.”

She added that many people were working behind the scenes to ensure India was ready to welcome the world, describing the approach as uniquely Indian while pointing to the country’s warmth, spirit and hospitality. Sindhu said she was looking forward to the badminton world’s arrival in Delhi.

BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra said the double-door and automatic-closing system means monkeys cannot enter the arena. He said officials remain in regular contact with the MCD regarding stray monkeys and dogs across the campus.

Mishra also said specialists from the BWF had handled technical matters involving court lighting and drift control. He said a shadow issue identified during the India Open had been resolved, while an expert from Indonesia is due to test the facility. Roof leakages, another concern at the ageing stadium, have also been addressed, with recent heavy rain providing a test of the work.

The upgrades matter because the BWF World Championships will place the spotlight on Delhi’s readiness to stage one of badminton’s biggest events. Organisers are aiming for a smoother tournament after the disruption seen in January, with the venue now prepared through a combination of repairs, access controls and bird-deterrent measures.