NEW DELHI — The 2026 India Open has transformed from a premier BWF Super 750 tournament into a PR nightmare for the Badminton Association of India (BAI). With the venue set to host the prestigious BWF World Championships later this year, international players are openly questioning whether New Delhi is fit to welcome the world’s elite.
The controversy reached a tipping point during the Round of 16 clash between India’s HS Prannoy and Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, which had to be halted twice due to bird droppings landing directly on the court.
1. Shuttlers Take to Social Media: “Monkeys in the Stands”
Following his victory over Prannoy, Loh Kean Yew took to Instagram to provide “receipts” of the logistical failures, contradicting earlier claims by officials that the venue was secure.
- The Wildlife Issue: Kean Yew shared a video of a monkey roaming the spectator stands and another clip documenting bird droppings on the field of play.
- The Blichfeldt Critique: Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt was even more vocal, tagging the BWF in a post questioning the venue’s suitability for the World Championships. “I find it very difficult to see how a World Championship could be held here. I hope @bwf.official will do more to ensure proper conditions,” she wrote.
- Pollution Boycott: World No. 3 Anders Antonsen notably skipped the tournament entirely, citing New Delhi’s “hazardous” air quality as his primary reason for withdrawal.
2. BAI’s Defense: A “Test Event” Strategy
Responding to the backlash, BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra characterized the current tournament as a learning curve.
- Venue Shift: The event was moved from the smaller KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium specifically to prepare for the World Championships.
- The Official Stance: Mishra called the criticism “overstated,” suggesting that the scale of the larger stadium makes absolute pest control a challenge that they are actively addressing.
- Viral Photos: Despite the defense, leaked photos showing dusty seats, poor hygiene in player lounges, and pigeons nesting in the rafters have continued to circulate on X (formerly Twitter).
3. At a Glance: Key Controversies
| Issue | Impact | Affected Parties |
| Bird Droppings | Match stoppages; safety hazard (slippery court) | HS Prannoy, Loh Kean Yew |
| Monkeys | Security breach in spectator zones | Fans, Loh Kean Yew |
| Air Pollution | Player health concerns & withdrawals | Anders Antonsen |
| Hygiene | Viral photos of unsanitary conditions | International Media |
