The Badminton World Federation admitted organizational failures at the India Open 2026 on Thursday. BWF acknowledged issues with air quality, hygiene, and animal control at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi.
Bird droppings from the ceiling stopped the match between India’s HS Prannoy and Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew twice on Court 1. Prannoy was leading 16-14 in the first game when play halted the first time. The match stopped again when he was leading 1-0 in the deciding game. He eventually lost 21-18, 19-21, 14-21 after the interruptions.
A monkey appeared in the spectator stands during the tournament and stayed for about ten minutes before security removed it. The animal approached fans looking for food. Korean player Kang Min-hyuk posted on social media asking whether animals get free entry to the venue.
Players Complain About Conditions
Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt raised complaints about dirty floors and bird droppings earlier this week. She called the conditions unhealthy and said the air was filled with dust. Chinese coach Sun Jun said his players had to wear masks during matches because of throat pain.
Anders Antonsen from Denmark skipped the tournament for the third year in a row. He cited extreme pollution as his reason and paid a $5,000 fine rather than play in Delhi. Air quality in the city was recorded at thirty times above the WHO-recommended limits in December 2025.
The training venue at KD Jadhav Stadium sits about 300 meters from the main arena. Players complained it was cold and damp. They wore two layers of pants, jackets, gloves, and hats just to warm up. Some lights failed during the match between PV Sindhu and Nguyen Thi Linh on January 14.
BWF Puts Responsibility on BAI
BWF said it engaged with players and teams about the problems. The federation confirmed Indira Gandhi Sports Complex is better than the previous venue at KD Jadhav Stadium. They noted improvements in the playing surface, flooring, gym, and medical facilities.
The World Body said the venue meets its Field of Play requirements for hosting events. BWF stated the Badminton Association of India must fix the air quality and cleanliness issues. India will host the World Championships at the same venue in August 2026.
Former India coach Vimal Kumar said stadium maintenance needed improvement. He claimed 90 percent of tournament venues globally are neglected except for those in China. Kumar said responsibility for fixes lies with both the venue and organizers.
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Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew said the pollution affected his stamina and breathing. He mentioned his health declined during the match against Prannoy. Several players used masks indoors despite being inside the stadium.
The same hygiene complaints came up in 2024 and 2025 at the India Open. BAI has not fixed the problems in three years. With the World Championships coming in six months, international players may hesitate to compete if conditions stay the same.
BWF acknowledged the issues but put the burden on BAI to solve them. The admission comes too late for players who already suffered through poor air, bird droppings, and animal disruptions this week. India’s reputation as a tournament host takes a hit with each repeated complaint.
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