BWF Lauds Delhi World Championships After Criticism

The Badminton World Federation expressed strong satisfaction with the transformation of the venue hosting its flagship World Championships in New Delhi, marking a significant turnaround from criticism that plagued the Indian Open earlier in the year. The tournament, now past its halfway mark at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, has drawn praise from officials and players for its improved conditions.

BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund attributed the successful preparation to extensive collaboration between the federation, the Badminton Association of India, and the Indian government. He noted that a dedicated team worked on-site for a long duration to address the issues highlighted during the January India Open, where problems included air pollution, venue cleanliness, and even intrusions by birds and a monkey. Lund stated that players who had previously voiced concerns were now offering positive feedback on the world-class preparations.

Thai second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn confirmed he was happy with the arrangements. Danish star Anders Antonsen, who had been among the most vocal critics of the January event, acknowledged the current conditions were acceptable. The improvements...