Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Mixed Reactions to India Open Conditions
Some badminton players are unhappy with the conditions at the India Open Super 750 tournament in New Delhi.
They say the venue is very dirty, with bird droppings on the courts, and it's not a good place to play.
One player, Mia Blichfeldt, has asked the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to help make things better before the World Championships, which will also be held here.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) says the main competition venue is clean and meets international standards, but the concerns are about the training venue.
Other players like Michelle Li and Ratchanok Intanon agree that the conditions are not good and hope the organizers will fix these problems soon.
However, some players like PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth say the facilities are fine and the venue is suitable for the World Championships.
They believe every country has its own challenges and that minor issues are not specific to one host nation.
Mia Blichfeldt and other players criticize the unhealthy and unprofessional conditions at the India Open Super 750 venue.
Players find the venue cold, unsanitary, and with bird droppings, affecting their warm-up and performance.
Blichfeldt calls for BWF intervention to improve conditions ahead of the World Championships.
BAI responds that the main competition venue is clean and meets international standards, but concerns are about the training venue.
PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth defend the venue, stating the facilities are fine and suitable for the World Championships.
- Who
- PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, Mia Blichfeldt, Christo Popov, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Michelle Li, Ratchanok Intanon
- What
- Mixed reactions to playing conditions at the India Open Super 750
- When
- January 13-14, 2026
- Where
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
- Why
- Unhealthy and unprofessional conditions affecting players' preparation and performance
- Player
- PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, Mia Blichfeldt, Christo Popov, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Michelle Li, Ratchanok Intanon
- Event
- India Open Super 750
- Venue
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
- Issues
- Dirty conditions, bird droppings, cold and unsanitary environment
- Call for Action
- BWF intervention requested by some players
- Upcoming Event
- World Championships
- BAI Response
- Main arena is clean and meets international standards
Sources
Unhealthy and unprofessional: Blichfeldt now slams conditions at new venue, seeks BWF intervention
'Birds Shitting On Court!': Stars Slam Conditions In India Open, Want BWF To...
'Really unhealthy': Players blast conditions at India Open
India Open 750: Mia Blichfeldt says upcoming Badminton World Championship arena in Delhi is ‘dirty’, has ‘bird poop’
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Denmark's Mia Blichfeld renews criticism of playing conditions at India Open: 'Still very dirty and really unhealthy' – Firstpost
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Delhi pollution forced me to withdraw: World #3 Antonsen
Delhi air pollution hits India Open 2026 as world no.3 badminton star Anders Antonsen pulls out
Pollution forced me to pull out of India Open: World No.3 Antonsen
World No.3 Antonsen pulls out of India Open due to pollution
World No.3 Antonsen Withdraws From India Open Due to "Extreme" Air Pollution in Delhi
Anders Antonsen Withdraws, Says ‘Delhi Not The Place to Host Badminton’
Haven’t seen anything bad: Srikanth defends India Open playing conditions
Antonsen cites Delhi’s ‘extreme pollution’ as reason behind BWF India Open withdrawal
Srikanth shares own experiences to defend India Open venue
India Open 2026: PV Sindhu backs IGI Stadium for BWF World Championships after exit, dismisses 'poor facility' claim
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‘Extreme pollution in Delhi’: Top badminton player pulls out of India Open