BWF World Championships: Transport snags affect practice sessions, players criticise ‘terrible arrangement’ from organisers

"Not just us but few countries faced this issue... Seriously and honestly, this is a terrible arrangement from the organiser for such a major event," Malaysian mixed doubles shuttler Shevon Lai was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.

Shuttlers from across Malaysia and Chinese Taipei vented their frustration on social media platforms ahead of the World's. The practice halls in Broenby were about an hour away from the hotel.

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On the eve of the World Championships in Copenhagen, HS Prannoy posted a picture on his Insta story showing India’s support staff, trainer Kiran C, pushing a puck on a table shuffleboard game, and quipped, “When there is no transport available for practice sessions we are busy sharpening our skills in this game” with a laughing emoji.

The Indian might have laughed off the transport snags in Copenhagen, but shuttlers from across Malaysia and Chinese Taipei vented their frustration on social media platforms ahead of the World’s. The practice halls in Broenby were about an hour away from the hotel.

Singapore’s Yeo Jiaminn had posted a picture of players waiting, scribbling, “9.10 am bus didn’t come and now 10.10am bus isn’t coming too.” Chinese Taipei’s Wang Tzu Wei posted a picture of a training kit sitting by the road, and wrote, “Everyone waited in a queue for the shuttle bus that disappeared. A total of 55 minutes of Vitamin D supplementation,” the played quipped.

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HS Prannoy posted a picture on his Insta story showing India’s support staff, trainer Kiran C, pushing a puck on a table shuffleboard game. (HS Prannoy Instagram)

Malaysian mixed doubles shuttler Shevon Lai Jemie told The Star newspaper about several logistical issues calling them ‘poor arrangement by the organisers of the World Championships’ including difficulties in checking into hotels and travelling to and from the stadium to practice courts.

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“It’s just not us but a few countries faced the same issues. Although I was quite upset with it, I will just have to accept it as some normal daily issues. The focus is still on giving our best on court,” Shevon was quoted as saying. “Seriously and honestly, this is a terrible arrangement from the organiser for such a major event. We had to wait for almost an hour yesterday (on Thursday) for our hotel check-in because we did not have the hotel booking from the organiser.

“Today (yesterday) we waited for the bus according to the schedule given but no bus came…I have to call the main office or ask for a contact number to call whenever we face an issue. However, the number provided does not belong to the right person and I had to be connected from one call to another. There was not even one official on standby to assist the players or team. I am not asking for premium care, but since this is the official hotel or organisation, the least they can do is provide us with a proper contact person if anything comes up,” she said.