Source:REUTERS/IVAN ALVARADO
[Saba Sports News] Former badminton world champion Nozomi Okuhara
recently arrived in India to participate in the YONEX-SUNRISE Odisha Masters
2023. However, she took to her personal social media accounts to share her
unpleasant experience during her time in India. Okuhara recounted several
incidents that left her dissatisfied. Upon her arrival at Delhi’s IGI airport,
she encountered a stranger who attempted to take her luggage without her
consent by loading it onto a trolley. Furthermore, when she took a taxi from the
airport to her hotel, she was charged an exorbitant fee that was ten times the
usual fare charged by Uber, despite the hotel being just a ten-minute drive
away from the airport. Initially agreeing on a price of 11,344 Indian rupees,
which was already inflated, the driver then demanded an additional toll fee of
11,890 Indian rupees upon reaching the destination. Upon reaching her hotel,
Okuhara faced a four-hour wait before her check-in information was confirmed.
During this time, she encountered a representative from the Badminton
Association of India, who, instead of offering assistance, requested a photo.
Additionally, since the organizing committee failed to arrange a shuttle
service, Okuhara had to rely on the help of Indian badminton stars PV Sindhu and
HS Prannoy to hurriedly reach the venue for her matches. In light of these
unfortunate experiences, Nozomi Okuhara expressed her disillusionment, stating
that such incidents would deter players from returning to India for future
competitions.