In the wake of organisational lapses at the India Open Badminton tournament, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials on Monday to discuss corrective measures and prevent a repeat of the fiasco. The meeting addressed issues ranging from poorly maintained facilities, bird droppings on the court, and a monkey in the stands, to absent stadium administrators during the event.
The lapses have created a perception problem for India in a crucial year for its 2036 Olympic Games bid. SAI, responsible for maintaining national sports infrastructure, faced criticism as the Badminton Association of India (BAI) had to manage player complaints and media fallout. The minister has directed SAI to provide a detailed plan of corrective actions in the coming days to rebuild confidence and showcase India’s readiness to host international sporting events.
