India Open 2026 Pollution & Conditions Controversy: Who said what?
(Courtesy : BAI)
Anders Antonsen withdrew from India Open 2026 due to extreme air pollution in Delhi.
The India Open 2026, a BWF Super 750 badminton tournament held from January 13–18 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, has been embroiled in controversy over severe air pollution and alleged unhygienic venue conditions.
The issues have drawn sharp criticism from international players, particularly from Denmark, highlighting health risks amid Delhi’s hazardous winter AQI levels (often exceeding 300, classified as “hazardous”).
Complaints focus on pollution affecting breathing during play and unclean training/warm-up areas, including dust, dirt, and bird droppings. This comes ahead of the same venue hosting the BWF World Championships in August 2026.
Player Statements and Responses
Anders Antonsen
Anders Antonsen (Denmark, World No. 3 men’s singles) Withdrew from the tournament for the third consecutive year, citing extreme pollution. In an Instagram post/story, he stated:
“Many are curious as to why I have pulled out of the India Open for the third consecutive year. Due to the extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment, I don’t think it’s a place to host a badminton tournament. As a result, BWF once again has fined me USD 5,000.”
He shared an AQI screenshot showing 348 (hazardous) and revealed the Badminton World Federation (BWF) fined him $5,000 for skipping the mandatory event.
Mia Blichfeldt
Mia Blichfeldt, a women’s singles player from Denmark, criticized the venue’s hygiene in media interactions, after her first-round win, describing it as “very dirty” and “unhealthy.”
“I’m happy with the court conditions but not the health conditions. The floors are dirty, there are birds flying in the arena, and there are bird droppings as well. As a European player, I think I’m more sensitive to all this stuff.
The floors are dirty and there is a lot of dirt on the courts. There’s bird excrement. There are birds flying around in the arena. I actually hoped it would be better than the other hall, but it’s still very dirty and the conditions are really unhealthy for the players.
I think everyone is doing their best, and they know that it’s something that needs to be better because it’s not good for the players to be in a hall where there’s bird excrement on the floor and stuff like that. Last year I made a complaint about the conditions because I think it’s not fair to the players. A lot of us get sick and that means we cannot participate in the tournament the week after.”
She highlighted risks like players getting sick or injured, urged the BWF to take note (especially for the World Championships), and noted no improvement from the previous year.
Kidambi Srikanth
India’s Kidambi Srikanth, former World No. 1, defended the conditions, emphasizing that challenges are common in international sports.
“I feel the conditions are fine. I didn’t really see anything bad that was happening. Every country has its own conditions… Every country has its own challenges.
I don’t know, see every country has its own conditions… In Singapore, there is a lot of drift. In Denmark, I had to wait an hour for my match because of power cuts.”
Chirag Shetty
India’s Chirag Shetty, World No. 3 men’s doubles player commented on the situation, in an interview with Times Now:
“The tournament is definitely getting better each year… Facilities are much better… I have played at the Denmark Open, where the lights went off for an hour at the main arena.”
Badminton Association of India
Badminton Association of India (BAI), via General Secretary Sanjay Mishra Refuted claims about the main arena, clarifying that criticisms from players referred to the training venue (KD Jadhav Stadium), not the competition hall.
“Mia’s comments were made in a broader context around general playing conditions and personal health sensitivities, and not about the playing arena at the Yonex-Sunrise India Open specifically. Regarding the warm-up area, it is important to note that she was referring to the KD Jadhav Stadium, which serves as the training venue, and not the main playing arena.
The playing arena has been kept clean, dirt-free and pigeon-free, and several players have expressed satisfaction with the conditions at the venue.”
“He (Antonsen) can’t comment on the conditions here while sitting in Denmark. […] I heard the voice recording [of Blichfeldt], also read the statement, both are contradictory. In voice recording, she appreciated, but what I read was all negative. Last year, as well comment was made, but after the final, Viktor Axelsen had appreciated the tournament.”
The BAI described the event as a test for the upcoming World Championships and noted additional measures like heaters for cold weather.
Badminton World Federation (BWF)
Amid the ongoing controversies, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) finally stepped in to clarify that the conditions at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, where the India Open is being held, meet the required norms and are eligible to host the tournament.
The BWF acknowledged that there may have been some concerns regarding animal control and hygiene but assured that the Badminton Association of India has been actively working to address the issues and that the situation has been properly managed.
In an official statement released on Thursday, the BWF said:
“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.
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.
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. However, our assessments confirm that the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex represents a significant upgrade from KD Jadhav Stadium, offering improved infrastructure.
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. Players have also noted the positive enhancements to the playing surface and flooring, gymnasium, and medical facilities.
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.
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 is the controversy surrounding the India Open 2026?
The India Open 2026 has been at the centre of controversy due to concerns raised by players over severe air pollution in New Delhi and alleged unhygienic conditions at the venue, including dust, dirt, and reports of bird droppings in training areas.
When and where is the India Open 2026 being held?
The India Open 2026, a BWF Super 750 tournament, is being held from January 13 to 18, 2026 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
Why did Anders Antonsen withdraw from the India Open?
Anders Antonsen withdrew due to extreme air pollution in Delhi, sharing AQI levels above 300 (hazardous). He also revealed that the BWF fined him USD 5,000 for skipping the mandatory Super 750 event.
How did Indian players respond to the criticism?
Indian players such as Kidambi Srikanth and Chirag Shetty defended the tournament, stating that challenging conditions exist in many countries and that the facilities have improved over the years.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.