'Unacceptable', 'Unprofessional' - Denmark shuttler Mia Blichfeldt slams playing conditions at India Open 2026
(Courtesy : mia_blichfeldt/Instagram)
HS Prannoy’s match was interrupted twice by bird droppings at India Open 2026.
The controversy surrounding the BWF India Open 2026 tournament continues to grow, now that the Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt once again publicly criticised the conditions at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi.
After her campaign ended in round of 16 against Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 16-21, 13-21, Blichfeldt who had already raised concerns regarding hygiene and playing conditins at the venue in interview with PTI, took to her social media describing the past few days in India as far more difficult than she had anticipated.
“The past few days in India have been tough – tougher than I honestly expected. I had mentally prepared myself for ‘the worst’ once again, but the conditions surrounding us are simply unacceptable and highly unprofessional,” she wrote.
Her comments come in the wake of multiple issues that have overshadowed the tournament, including air pollution concerns, hygiene complaints, and the now-viral incident where HS Prannoy’s match against Loh Kean Yew was stopped twice after bird droppings fell on the court.
Blichfeldt posted few pictures on her Instargam, one of those has the bird poop on the court floor and one shows an unhygiene area somewhere iin the arena.
“We are here to perform and to stay focused on our preparations, both on and off the court. Unfortunately, under these circumstances, it becomes extremely difficult to focus solely on competing and delivering our best performance,” she added in her caption.
The Danish player revealed that frustration has been widespread among several players, officials, and support staff, stressing that what initially seemed a topic to laugh off became a serious concern later on.
“Everyone is stressed and frustrated by the conditions we are being met with at a World Tour Super 750 event. At first, you try to laugh it off, but in the end, it is neither funny nor fair to the players or anyone participating in this event.”
Blichfeldt is not the only one criticizing the venue. Earlier fellow Dane Anders Antonsen also pointed out that Delhi is not a place to host such tournament due to its exteme air pollution.
The World No.3 also withdrew from the tournament citing Delhi’s hazardous air quality, sharing screenshots of AQI levels exceeding 350.
Meanwhile, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has issued a statement confirming that the venue meets Field of Play requirements. They acknowledged some of the issues related to hygiene and animal control but have promised improvements ahead of the World Championships in August. However, Blichfeldt, who had already raised concerns about the venue’s readiness to host the World Championships, reiterated her stance yet again in her Instagram post.
“Sadly, under the current circumstances, I find it very difficult to see how a World Championship could be held here”, she wrote in the caption of the same post.
“I am glad that this issue is finally receiving the attention it deserves, and I truly hope for better conditions for us players in the future if we are to continue competing in India. I hope @bwf.official will do more to ensure proper conditions and better protection for the players in the future.”
What was the main issue at the India Open 2026?
The India Open 2026 was hit by controversy after players raised concerns over poor playing conditions, hygiene issues, and overall venue management at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi.
What did Mia Blichfeldt say about the India Open 2026 conditions?
Mia Blichfeldt described the conditions at the India Open 2026 as “unacceptable and highly unprofessional,” saying they made it difficult for players to focus on performance and preparation.
What problems did players face at the venue?
Players reported bird droppings on the court, unhygienic areas inside the arena, and difficult playing conditions caused by cold weather and haze affecting air quality.
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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.