New Delhi stadium ready for Badminton World Championships after upgrades

By Sanjay Menon — 5 August 2026 — 3 min read

The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi has received approval from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) following extensive renovations. These upgrades ensure the venue is prepared to host the upcoming Badminton World Championships, addressing previous concerns regarding hygiene and facilities.

The World Championships are scheduled to take place from August 17-23, marking the event’s return to India after 17 years. The stadium had faced significant criticism earlier in the year during the India Open Super 750 tournament in January, where players and officials reported issues such as poor hygiene, unclean toilets, and the presence of pigeons and monkeys within the complex.

Addressing Past Criticisms and Renovations

BWF Events Director (Tournament Operations) Selvaamresh Supramaniam confirmed that the world body conducted multiple inspections over a period of seven months, noting substantial improvements. Inspections were carried out in January, February, April, June, and again in the days leading up to the announcement.

The renovations included a comprehensive deep cleaning of the facility. Damaged seats were replaced, and extensive sealing and wiring work was undertaken. Broken ceilings were repaired, and waterproofing was applied to the roof to prevent leaks. These efforts were specifically aimed at rectifying the shortcomings identified during the India Open.

One of the key issues addressed was pest control. An anti-pest gel was applied to the roof beams to deter birds from perching inside the arena. Supramaniam noted that this measure is similar to those used near airports to manage bird populations. Furthermore, steps were taken to manage stray animals, with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) reportedly rounding up approximately 60 dogs from the complex.

Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary Sanjay Mishra expressed confidence that issues related to birds and animals would not recur during the World Championships. He highlighted that the damaged ceiling and exposed wiring had been repaired, and a thorough deep cleaning had been completed.

Focus on Competition and Presentation

Supramaniam emphasised that while improvements in presentation, particularly lighting, were being made, the primary focus remained on delivering a problem-free competition. He acknowledged that the lighting during the India Open was below expectations. To address this, the BAI agreed to bring in consultants from Indonesia, who have experience working on the Indonesia Open and Indonesia Masters tournaments.

Despite the ongoing cleaning efforts, Supramaniam noted that cleaning would continue until the tournament commences on August 17. He explained that with workmen frequently entering and exiting the venue, and given the possibility of rain, maintaining cleanliness would be an ongoing task. However, he expressed satisfaction with the current state of the venue, stating it was in a significantly better condition than during the India Open.

The decision to host the India Open at the same venue was, in part, to identify necessary improvements for the World Championships. Supramaniam acknowledged the negative publicity surrounding the January event but stated that it motivated all parties involved to make the required changes. The World Championships will feature top players, including China’s Shi Yuqi, who will defend his men’s singles title, and Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, the women’s singles winner from last year’s event in Paris.

The extensive renovation and cleaning work ensures that the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium is now fully prepared to host the Badminton World Championships, which begin on August 17.

Source: m.rediff.com