India Open badminton | Mia Blichfeldt complains of conditions again, BAI refutes claims

India Open 2026

The Yonex-Sunrise India Open Super 750 badminton tournament, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from January 13-18, 2026, has drawn attention due to criticisms from Danish player Mia Blichfeldt regarding venue conditions. This marks the second consecutive year Blichfeldt has voiced similar concerns, highlighting issues like dirt, cold temperatures, and unhygienic elements that she claims affect player health and performance. After her first-round win against Chinese Taipei's Chiu Pin-Chian (21-19, 21-11) on January 13, Blichfeldt described the hall as "very dirty" with "bird poop on the courts," noting that players had to wear multiple layers, jackets, gloves, and hats to combat the cold. She emphasized that conditions remain unchanged from 2025, when the event was at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium, and urged the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to intervene, especially since India is set to host the World Championships in August 2026 at the same venue. Blichfeldt, ranked World No. 20, added that as a European player, she might be more sensitive to dust and environmental factors, but stressed the risks of illness or injury for athletes.

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) swiftly refuted the claims, clarifying that Blichfeldt's comments primarily referred to the warm-up area at the KD Jadhav Stadium (used for training), not the main competition arena at Indira Gandhi Stadium. BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra stated that the main venue is "well-maintained, dirt-free, and pigeon-free," with several players expressing satisfaction. He framed her remarks as a "personal perspective" on health sensitivities rather than a direct critique of the tournament facilities, noting that only one player has raised issues while others have appreciated the setup. The shift to Indira Gandhi Stadium this year was intentional, in preparation for the upcoming World Championships, which India will host for the first time in 16 years.