Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt renews criticism of playing conditions at India Open: 'Still very dirty and really unhealthy'

For the second year in a row, Danish badminton player Mia Blichfeldt has expressed unhappiness over the conditions at the India Open Super 750 despite the tournament taking place at a different venue this year.

Blichfeldt had made headlines last year after criticising the air pollution in New Delhi as well as poor infrastructure at India Open following her exit in the Round of 16. She had also claimed to have seen “birds shitting on the courts and dirt” at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall of the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.

As for the latest edition of the tournament, the 28-year-old remain unimpressed even after the Badminton Association of India shifted the venue to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, keeping the BWF World Championships that they will be hosting in August this year in mind.

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“I am happy with the court conditions but not with health conditions,” world No 20 Blichfeldt told reporters on Tuesday following her 21-19 21-11 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-Chian.

Blichfeldt, a two-time European Championships bronze medallist, felt that while the organisers were trying their best, they still had “a way to go”. She also pointed to the cold conditions that made it difficult for players to warm up before matches.

“I actually hoped it was going to be better than the other hall. I think it’s still very dirty and really unhealthy conditions for all the players. Everyone is warming up in two layers of pants and winter jackets and gloves and hats,” Blichfeldt told PTI video.

“It’s not good warm-up preparation for a player who has to go on court and move fast and go in splits. I know everyone is doing their best to make the conditions better for the players, but I think there is still a way to go.”

VIDEO | India Open 2026: Denmark shuttler Mia Blichfeldt criticises the playing conditions after her R32 win, saying the situation has not improved from last year and urging the BWF to take note ahead of major events.

She says, “The conditions are really poor. It was dirty last… pic.twitter.com/MnuOgnadWy

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 13, 2026

BAI refutes Blichfeldt’s criticism of playing conditions

The BAI, meanwhile, refuted Blichfeldt’s latest accusations, stating that her comments were not specific to the conditions at the main playing arena of the India Open but were made in broader context of “general playing conditions and personal health sensitivities”.

“She has clearly stated that the competition venue itself is well maintained. As mentioned in her conversation regarding the warm-up area, it is important to note that she was referring to the KD Jadhav Stadium, which is the training venue, and not the main playing arena,” BAI secretary general Sanjay Mishra was quoted in an official release as saying.

“As an athlete who is more sensitive to dust and environmental factors, she was sharing a personal perspective on how conditions can sometimes impact her health. 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 added.

‘As a European, maybe I’m more sensitive’

Blichfeldt later claimed that she is more sensitive to environmental factors as well as to food and hygiene, which she felt might have some thing to do with her being European.

“For me, as a European player, maybe I’m more sensitive also with food and bacteria and that kind of stuff. This time I’m actually trying just to stay in my room and eating so I don’t get sick,” the Danish shuttler said.

“I think it’s a good test for me also. So when I come here for World Championships in August, even though I think maybe the conditions are going to be better because it’s summer, so the temperature is better.”

She also urged the Badminton World Federation, the governing body for the sport, to intervene in order to “protect players” by ensuring the implementation of “professional standards”.

“I don’t think so many other athletes would play under these conditions,” Blichfeldt said. “I hope everyone around the tournament, the association, and also BWF is going to look into this venue because it’s a professional sport.

“If players get sick or get injured because of these conditions, it’s unfair,” she added.