Source: REUTERS/IVAN ALVARADO
[Saba Sports News] The 2024 Indian Badminton Open
concluded last week. China’s top player, Chen Yufei, was defeated by Chinese
Taipei’s star player, Tai Tzu-Ying, and missed out on the title. Yesterday,
Chen Yufei took to social media to share her experience at the Indian Open
through pictures, where she expressed her challenges while competing in India.
Given her dislike for Indian food, Chen Yufei had to prepare all three meals by
herself. However, the cooking conditions were limited, and she could only
manage to cook instant noodles with some vegetables, ham sausage, and eggs. The
constant smog in India resulted in a perpetually gray sky. During her daily
commute to the venue, Chen Yufei frequently encountered the sight of the Indian
motorcycle army rushing through the traffic, creating a thrilling scene. The
hygiene conditions on the venue bus were somewhat poor, with ants visible every
day. Due to the scheduling of the live game broadcasts, Chen Yufei played her
matches for the first time in her career after 10 pm Beijing time. The Indian
Organizing Committee was mindful of their budget, providing players with only
380 ml of mineral water. Consequently, Chen Yufei had to purchase 1 liter of
mineral water on her own, highlighting the stark contrast in volume. Even birds
made their way into the venue during the matches. After the game, Chen Yufei
spent a considerable amount of US$2.78 to purchase a can of Pepsi Cola, which
was approximately eight times more expensive than in China. Each night, the
team doctor would consume KFC fried chicken, while Chen Yufei, needing to
manage her weight, could only satisfy her hunger with cakes. Fans, upon seeing
Chen Yufei’s complaints, expressed their desire for her to return home safely
and in good health, emphasizing that winning the championship was not crucial.