Organisers at New Delhi’s IG Indoor Stadium are taking unusual steps to protect players during the upcoming Badminton World Championships.
Starting August 17, over 400 athletes will compete in India for the first time in 17 years. Officials have deployed US-imported sound machines that mimic predatory birds to scare away pigeons. They also applied non-toxic, slippery gel to prevent birds from perching above the courts. Additionally, reinforced glass doors will stop unauthorized entry.
These strict measures aim to prevent embarrassing incidents from January’s India Open, where monkeys and falling bird droppings disrupted play. Sanjay Mishra, secretary of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), confirmed they will maintain round-the-clock security. He noted that the new glass gates will block outside distractions. Historically, managing animal intrusions in semi-open tropical venues has consistently challenged sports authorities across Southeast Asia.
Facility upgrades and better lighting
Workers are putting final touches on the stadium, which originally hosted the 1982 Asian Games. Two architects and four engineers from the Central Public Works Department are currently monitoring the project. Over 100 skilled workers have revamped 80 washrooms and installed new wooden flooring.
Organisers hired lighting experts from the Indonesian Open to fix visibility issues raised by fans earlier this year. Selvaramesh Supramaniam, BWF Events Director, expressed satisfaction with the progress after several inspections. He pointed out that local authorities successfully relocated dozens of stray dogs from the premises.
Responding to player complaints
Earlier this year, Danish player Mia Blichfeldt criticized the unhygienic conditions and bird droppings on the practice courts. Similarly, her teammate Anders Antonsen withdrew due to severe air pollution concerns. In response to this backlash, the Sports Ministry directed the Sports Authority of India to create strict standard operating procedures. Supramaniam reported that recent visits showed no signs of pigeons or monkeys, indicating the new deterrents are working well.