Ministry steps in, seeks corrective measures from SAI after India Open fiasco

Key Highlights

• Although Delhi’s poor air quality was beyond its control, SAI is under tremendous pressure to explain incidents of bird poop in the field of play, a monkey in the spectators’ stand, and poorly maintained facilities, including washrooms and training areas.
• “The minister has taken note and SAI will come up with details of corrective measures in the next few days,” a well-placed source told PTI.
• Responsible for the stadium’s upkeep, SAI has drawn heavy criticism for the chaos that became the talking point at the venue, which is also due to hold the badminton World Championships in August.
• Danish shutter Mia Blichfeldt had described the conditions as unhealthy and wondered aloud as to how the marquee competition later this year could possibly go ahead at the same venue in a few months’ time.
• The nodal body responsible for the running of national camps and maintain sports infrastructure in the country was found wanting in every aspect during India Open.