On Mismanagement & Failure At India Open Badminton Tournament
Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt criticised playing conditions at India Open Badminton Tournament in New Delhi, calling them unacceptable and raising concerns about hosting the BWF World Championships there later this year.
The India Open badminton tournament in New Delhi was meant to be not just another Super 750 event — it was also a test run for the BWF World Championships scheduled in August. But rather than just strong rallies and big names, this edition drew attention for a different reason: questions over the conditions at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the city.
Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt, ranked among the world’s best, did not mince words. After her exit from the event, she called the playing conditions “unacceptable and highly unprofessional” and said it was “very difficult to see how a World Championship could be held here.” She shared images of bird droppings on the court, mentioned sightings of monkeys in the stands and complained that the overall environment made it hard for players to focus on competition.
What makes her comments stand out is not only what was said, but where it comes from. Blichfeldt is no casual spectator; she is a professional whose livelihood depends on fair conditions. When someone in her position says the surroundings are tough beyond expectation, it triggers reflection rather than rejection.
The criticisms have not been limited to hygiene. World No. 3 Anders Antonsen chose to skip the tournament entirely, citing Delhi’s “extreme pollution” — even though that decision cost him a $5,000 fine from the Badminton World Federation.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) and the BWF have responded with statements acknowledging challenges linked to seasonal conditions and outlining fixes, while defending the choice of venue as meeting international requirements.
But the larger point is not about a single event or a single complaint. First impressions matter in international sport. When visiting athletes point out that courts are interrupted by bird droppings or that air quality disrupts training and recovery, it signals that basic standards tailored for elite competition were not fully anticipated or managed.
This is not about embarrassment or national pride. It is about the lived experience of players — people who are there to perform at their best. If a venue is to host a premier global event in August, then months of preparation, testing and ground-level readiness must precede it, not follow criticism. The India Open has put a spotlight on gaps in execution. Whether those gaps are bridged will be the real test of how seriously the sport’s custodians take global standards — and how well they respect the athletes who come here to compete.
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