India Open 2026: BWF cites haze, cold weather behind poor air quality, playing conditions in New Delhi
(Courtesy : BAI)
The Badminton World Federation also asserted that Delhi’s IG Indoor Stadium meets Field of Play requirements.
The India Open 2026 has been making noise for all the wrong reasons, and after days of controversy regarding the playing conditions at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in Delhi, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has finally stepped in with an official response.
What started as murmurs about Delhi being not the perfect city to host such tournaments, exploded into a full-blown controversy on Thursday when HS Prannoy’s match against Loh Kean Yew was stopped twice after bird droppings fell on the court.
The first interruption came when Prannoy was leading 16-14 in the opening game. The second happened early in the deciding game. Officials had to rush in with tissues and wipes to clean the court while players waited awkwardly.
Earlier this week, two of Denmark’s players complained about playing at the venue. First women’s singles star Mia Blichfeldt criticised the playing conditions, saying they were “dirty” and not fit for players, especially with the World Championships scheduled to be held in Delhi later this year.
The second thing that worsened the controversy was the withdrawal of World No. 3 Alexander Andersson, citing Delhi’s hazardous air pollution. Given this, the BWF broke its silence.
“The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has engaged with players and teams during the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2026 to review conditions at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi,” they said in an official statement released on Thursday night.
“The feedback received — both positive and constructive — is invaluable in shaping the best possible environment for this tournament and future championships. We also acknowledge the comments shared by players and the subsequent media coverage,” the statement read.
BWF admitted that seasonal conditions have made things difficult this week. “Managing factors related largely to seasonal conditions, such as the haze and cold weather affecting the air quality and temperature inside the venue has posed challenges this week,” the federation said.
However, BWF defended the choice of venue, stating that their “assessments confirm that the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex represents a significant upgrade from KD Jadhav Stadium, offering improved infrastructure.”
On the issue of hygiene and the shocking bird-poop incident, the BWF said, “While some areas of implementation, including general cleanliness and hygiene plus animal control have required attention, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has acted promptly to address these concerns.”
BWF also noted that many players have welcomed the upgrades to the main arena. “Players have also noted the positive enhancements to the playing surface and flooring, gymnasium, and medical facilities,” the statement added.
Also Read: BWF India Open 2026: Lakshya Sen reaches quarters; HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth end run
With the World Championships just six months away, BWF tried to reassure the badminton community by claiming that the Indira Gandhi Indoor stadium comes under the eligibility criterias to host such tournaments.
“The move to the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex provides greater space for athletes and officials and meets BWF’s Field of Play requirements for hosting the BWF World Championships.
“Insights gathered this week will guide further upgrades to deliver a world-class experience in August, where the seasonal issues are not expected being as severe.”
However, at the end, the BWF ensured that players safety is their first priority. “Our priority remains ensuring a safe, high-quality environment for all participants, and we are confident this will meet the expectations of all stakeholders.
We thank players and teams for their valuable input and reaffirm our commitment to continuous improvement in partnership with BAI.”
What incident triggered the backlash at India Open?
HS Prannoy’s Round of 16 match against Loh Kean Yew was stopped twice after bird droppings fell on the court, forcing officials to clean the playing surface mid-match.
What did BWF say about the playing conditions?
BWF admitted that seasonal haze, cold weather, and hygiene issues created challenges but said the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex is a major upgrade over the previous venue.
Did BWF accept that mistakes were made?
Yes. BWF acknowledged that cleanliness and animal control needed improvement and said the Badminton Association of India acted quickly to fix the problems.
Is the venue still approved for the World Championships?
Yes. BWF confirmed the venue meets Field of Play requirements and said the feedback from this week will be used to improve conditions ahead of the World Championships in August.
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Uzma Fatima is a passionate sports journalist who believes every match has a story waiting to be told. Whether it's the grace of Olympic champions, the grit of tennis and badminton battles, or the drama of cricket’s highs and heartbreaks — she loves capturing the emotion behind the action. Off the field, she’s a Formula 1 enthusiast who never misses a race weekend.