To prevent India Open-like mess, Sports Ministry asks SAI to draw up SOP

Mindful of the international scrutiny that India is facing as an aspiring Olympic host, the Sports Ministry has asked SAI to draw up a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to avoid the kind of slip-ups that marred the recent India Open of badminton here.

Bird poop on the field of play, monkey in spectators' stand and unhygienic conditions in training facilities and public utilities were among the issues that damaged the tournament's image.

SAI (Sports Authority of India) is responsible for the upkeep of five stadia in the national capital, including the Indira Gandhi Stadium that hosted the India Open.


"As much as we would like the National Sports Federations to have the freedom to conduct events but the fact is when something goes wrong, it is always the sports ministry which becomes answerable in public eye. So, it is only fair that the ministry is involved at the planning stage itself," a well-placed source told PTI.

"So, an SOP will be formulated to ensure that every event being held in India is planned properly with zero scope of athlete discomfort, especially for international participants. Ministry will keep a tab through this mechanism," he added.

International players like Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt spoke openly about the discomfort at India Open and also demanded better facilities at the world championships, scheduled to be held at the same venue in August.

The ministry's role in conduct of events in India is mostly limited to providing financial assistance. But with India's 2036 Olympic bid at stake, it plans to have a more proactive role going forward.

"We cannot afford to be reactive, cannot wait for things to unravel and then step in. An SOP will be handy in overseeing things from the preparatory stage," the source said.

It is not yet clear by when the SOP would be formulated but it is not expected to take more than a few weeks.

The decision was taken during Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's recent meeting with SAI officials to seek an explanation for the mess last week.

The lapses at India Open created a "perception crisis" for the country in a potentially "make-or-break year" for the country's ambitious 2036 Olympic bid.

The next major event in India is the Asian Championship of shooting (Rifle/Pistol) at Delhi's Karni Singh Ranges from February 2 to 14. The venue is also also under SAI's care.

"The aim is to ensure that universal standards are met. The focus of the SOP would be venue cleanliness and security, accessibility, and maintenance of utilities so that neither the athletes nor the fans have any unpleasant experience," the source said.

SAI drew heavy criticism for the chaos that became the talking point at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium last week.

The IG Stadium, even when not is use for competitions, is the main training base for the country's gymnasts and also hosts boxing camps.

World is watching

The ministry source said given India's stated interest in hosting global competitions, the country needs to be prepared for the scrutiny that comes with it.

"That is a natural consequence of ambition. It is for us to show our preparedness and not expect others to adjust. That's why the ministry's role would be more pronounced going forward," the source said.

This year, India is also due to host the Asian Weightlifting Championships in April in Ahmedabad and a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver athletics meet in Bhubaneswar in August.

Ahmedabad, which is aiming to become the 2036 Olympic host, will be conducting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.