BAI general secretary Sanjay Mishra says India will show it can host any tournament
In Hyderabad on August 12, 2026, Badminton Association of India general secretary Sanjay Mishra told The Hindu the BAI wants to show the world it can host any tournament as the World Championships prepare to open at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium starting Monday.
The comments come after criticism earlier in the year of the Indian Open at the same venue, which was disrupted by monkey intrusions, bird-related interruptions, ageing infrastructure, poor spectator facilities and Delhi’s pollution; the stadium was built for the 1982 Asian Games and renovated for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Organisers have said they intend this World Championships to avoid the problems that marred the Indian Open, while the event arrives as India prepares to host the next Commonwealth Games and pursues a 2036 Olympic bid.
BAI officials and Sanjay Mishra conducted a stadium recce and shared images on social media under the banner “Leading from the front!”, while organisers have overseen a series of physical upgrades at the venue. Improvements listed by organisers include new seating, fresh wooden flooring for the courts, a modern lighting system and a waterproofed roof.
Sanjay Mishra revealed the BAI is working with a budget of around ₹25 crore for the tournament and said the Sports Authority of India has carried out the renovation work thus far. Those funds have been allocated specifically for the preparatory work at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium ahead of the World Championships.
On the problems that affected the Indian Open, Mishra said: “The main problems at the Indian Open were the pigeons and monkeys. It was also very cold back then, but none of that is going to be an issue this time around.” Organisers have explored unconventional deterrents, including the use of trained langur-mimicry artists, whose videos have circulated widely on social media.
P.V. Sindhu addressed the viral deterrent idea on X, writing: “You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort. Our solutions may be uniquely Indian, but so are our warmth, our spirit and our hospitality.” Her post accompanied broader public and organisational efforts to reassure players and fans ahead of the championships.
Commenting on broader aims, Mishra said: “Beyond the performance of our players, as an organiser, we want to show the world that we can host any tournament. They’re trying to bring badminton back to the Commonwealth Games, and we’re also looking at the Olympics. The government is supporting all our efforts, and I’d say this could be one of the best World championships ever.”
“What would success at this tournament for us look like? Very simple. If there are no complaints on all fronts, unlike the Indian Open,” he added, before concluding, “Besides medals for our players!” The World Championships open at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium starting Monday.