New Delhi, Jan 16 (.) Acknowledging player concerns over conditions at the ongoing YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2026,the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said it is actively working with the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to address issues while highlighting significant upgrades at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.
The statement comes after criticism from top players, including Danish shuttlers Mia Blichfeldt and Anders Antonsen, over air quality, hygiene, and training facilities, prompting the federation to stress its commitment to ensuring a safe, world-class environment for athletes.
In an official statement, the BWF noted that managing seasonal factors such as haze and cold weather, which impacted air quality and indoor temperatures, posed challenges during the week.
However, the World Body maintained that its assessments confirmed the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex to be a significant upgrade over the earlier venue, the KD Jadhav Stadium, particularly in terms of infrastructure.
The federation said it took note of comments made by players and the subsequent media coverage, stressing that the feedback received was valuable in shaping not only the current tournament environment but also future championships.
While conceding that certain aspects, including general cleanliness, hygiene, and animal control, needed attention, the federation said the Badminton Association of India (BAI) acted swiftly to address these concerns.
It added that players had also highlighted improvements to key facilities such as the playing surface and flooring, gymnasium, and medical support areas.
According to the BWF, the shift to the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex has provided more space for athletes and officials and meets the federation’s Field of Play requirements for hosting major events, including the BWF World Championships.
The World Body added that insights gathered during the India Open will guide further upgrades ahead of the BWF World Championships scheduled to be held at the venue in August, when seasonal conditions are expected to be less severe.
Reiterating its commitment to player welfare, the BWF said its priority remains ensuring a safe and high-quality environment for all participants and expressed confidence that continued collaboration with the BAI would help deliver a world-class experience for athletes and stakeholders alike.
The statement comes against the backdrop of concerns raised by Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt over playing conditions at the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open Super 750 in New Delhi. Blichfeldt had described the warm-up and training areas at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex as “very dirty and really unhealthy for all the players.”
Another Danish player, Anders Antonsen, withdrew from the India Open 2026, citing severe air pollution in New Delhi. In an Instagram post, Antonsen said he hoped conditions would improve ahead of the BWF World Championships later this year and confirmed that he was fined USD 5,000 by the BWF.
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