India Open Badminton: Player flags venue concerns, BAI dismisses allegations

Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt, currently ranked World No. 20, raised concerns over playing conditions at the 2026 India Open in New Delhi, prompting a swift rebuttal from the Badminton Association of India (BAI).

Blichfeldt, competing in the BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament, reportedly flagged issues related to dust and hygiene, and urged the Badminton World Federation to review the venue setup ahead of the World Championships scheduled at the same location in August. Her remarks triggered a brief controversy as the main draw of the India Open began on Tuesday.

Responding to the claims, BAI categorically rejected suggestions that the competition venue — the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium — was poorly maintained. BAI general secretary Sanjay Mishra clarified that Blichfeldt’s comments were being misinterpreted.

“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,” Mishra said in an official statement. He added that her reference was to the KD Jadhav Stadium, which serves as the training and warm-up venue, and not the main competition court.

According to BAI, the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium has been kept “clean, dirt-free, and pigeon-free,” with several players expressing satisfaction over the playing conditions. Mishra also noted that Blichfeldt, who is sensitive to dust and environmental factors, was sharing a personal perspective related to her health.

This is not the first time the Danish player has voiced concerns about conditions at the India Open. Last year, she had cited dense smog and bird droppings inside the stadium as factors behind an illness she suffered after the tournament.

(This story was taken from syndicated feed and was only edited for style by Gujarat Samachar Digital team)