Ministry promises spotless infra

With the country gearing up to host 11 international events in the next six months, including the world championships of badminton, the Sports Ministry has assured that top-notch facilities would be in place to ensure that all past criticism of playing conditions is suitably addressed.

The world championship of badminton is due to be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the national capital from August 17. The venue had been lambasted for poor hygiene and maintenance standards by foreign players when it hosted the India Open in January this year.

“The endeavour is to ensure that facilities are top-notch. The minister is keeping a watch on the preparations. We are working towards changing the negative mindset and perceptions,” a Sports Ministry source said. After the India Open fiasco, which dented the country’s image, the ministry had stepped to establish protocols for the upkeep of Sports Authority of India infrastructure, including a quarterly review of the venues by the minister.

Before the world event, the national capital will also be hosting the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in which 35 countries, including Australia, England, Canada, and South Africa, are expected to participate from July 28 to August 4.

Elsewhere, Bhubaneswar would be hosting the Indian Open of athletics, which is a World Athletics Silver-level event in August.

Aspiring to become an Olympic host in 2036, India, between January 2025 and June 2026, hosted 36 international sporting competitions across more than 15 cities.

India have also secured the hosting rights for 19 international sporting competitions to be held during 2027 and 2028 and National Sports Federations (NSFs) are being encouraged to bid for international championships.

Mandaviya to hold meeting with NSFs: With the nation also building towards the Los Angeles Olympics, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will be holding a stock-taking meet with representatives of the National Sports Federations next week, where they will be asked to present their overseas exposure plans for Los Angeles Olympics hopefuls.

“The idea is to ensure that there is a smooth process in place because any preparation for something as big as an Olympics, requires meticulous planning,” the source said.