1. Assam faces criticism for alleged hospitality issues during the Yonex Sunrise Guwahati Masters 2023.
2. Singapore-based media house, Strait Times, reports on challenging conditions for international shuttlers Terry Hee and Jessica Tan.
3. Issues include blackouts, murky tap water, pests, and illness during their stay in Guwahati.
Guwahati, Dec 15: Assam has come under scrutiny for alleged hospitality issues during the Yonex Sunrise Guwahati Masters 2023 badminton tournament, as reported by Singapore-based media house, Strait Times.
The media alleges that international shuttlers from Singapore, Terry Hee and Jessica Tan, faced challenging conditions, including blackouts, murky tap water, pests, and illness during their stay in Guwahati.
Despite these challenges, the Singaporean badminton couple managed to focus and secure the Guwahati Masters title. They reportedly had to resort to using electric swatters to combat mosquitoes and relied on teamwork to keep their food away from houseflies at the Sarusajai Sports Complex.
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In response, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, President of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), clarified that the players themselves booked the hotels, absolving the association of any responsibility.
The athletes, hosted by a Guwahati-based hotel, faced additional issues such as non-functional water heaters, leading them to boil water for baths. The Singaporean duo shared their experiences on social media, highlighting the challenges they encountered.
This incident follows a previous report suggesting similar conditions faced by the Singaporean sportsmen during the Syed Modi International in Lucknow, where they reached the quarter-finals.
The allegations have sparked discussions about the overall hospitality and infrastructure provided during international sporting events in Assam, raising concerns about the impact on the state’s image in the global sports community.
