After incidents of bird droppings on the court, spotting of a monkey in the stands, and players complaining about poor air quality, hygiene at the stadium and cold conditions at the India Open, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) acknowledged issues regarding ‘general cleanliness, hygiene and animal control’. However, the BWF backed the IG Stadium as the venue to host the World Championships in August.
The India Open witnessed a monkey sighting in the stands on Wednesday and play being halted twice during a match on Thursday because of bird droppings falling from above on the court.
“The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has engaged with players and teams during India Open 2026 to review conditions at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi,” the governing body said in a statement. “The feedback received — both positive and constructive — is invaluable in shaping the best possible environment for this tournament and future championships. We also acknowledge the comments shared by players and the subsequent media coverage.”
The BWF, however, added that the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium was a better venue than the KD Jadhav Stadium, also in the same sports complex.
“Managing factors related largely to seasonal conditions, such as the haze and cold weather affecting the air quality and temperature inside the venue has posed challenges this week. However, our assessments confirm that the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex represents a significant upgrade from KD Jadhav Stadium, offering improved infrastructure. While some areas of implementation, including general cleanliness and hygiene plus animal control have required attention, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has acted promptly to address these concerns. Players have also noted the positive enhancements to the playing surface and flooring, gymnasium, and medical facilities.”
ALSO READ | India Open badminton: Bird droppings falling on court halts match between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew twice
During the round of 16 fixtures on Thursday, the match between Indian star HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew was paused twice, first towards the end of the opening game and then at the start of the third game, due to bird droppings falling on the court. It wasn’t clear during the match why the chair umpire had his arm up to call for the tournament referee. Soon a part of the court was being wiped. Prannoy said in the mixed zone, ‘it was bird shit that kind of halted the game.’ It happened on Court 1 at the venue, which is the main television court.
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Former World champion Yew took a dig at the Delhi weather after defeating Prannoy in the pre-quarterfinal. When asked the reason behind his good record in India, Loh said, “I don’t know, probably the weather here. Everyone’s stamina drops like two levels in these conditions with the haze going on. I was good in Malaysia but my health has dropped a bit after landing here,” he said.
BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra told The Indian Express, “The India Open was a test event for World Championships and we will take the learnings from this week and get things better for Worlds in August. As for the cold, it won’t be an issue in August and the stadium has air conditioning as well. We have installed heaters around the venue now too. As far as the field of play is concerned, there have hardly been any issues As a player and coach, I know that the most important things are accommodation, quality playing area, good food and transportation. All four have been very good. But the sudden problems that have cropped up like the monkey incident, will be dealt with, we will have more guards in place day and night. I have been here for a month everyday and I didn’t spot a monkey even once, I didn’t even dream that such a thing would happen. No doubt, we can do better with cleanliness. We have meetings coming up with the Sports Ministry and BWF, and we will correct all the issues.”
The 2026 India Open had been shifted from KD Jadhav Indoor hall to IG Indoor Stadium, which is a much bigger arena within the same complex. The BWF said that the move ‘provides greater space for athletes and officials and meets BWF’s Field of Play requirements for hosting the BWF World Championships’. Insights gathered this week will guide further upgrades to deliver a world-class experience in August, where the seasonal issues are not expected being as severe, the BWF added.
Mishra said there have been no considerations in moving the World Championships to a venue like Guwahati which successfully hosted the Junior event last year as meeting hotel accommodation requirements would be an issue.
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Hosting the India Open in Delhi came in for criticism last year as well, from Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt criticising the pollution in the city. Blichfeldt was unhappy with the conditions this year too. World No.3 Anders Antonsen said in an Instagram post that he had pulled out of the India Open because of the ‘extreme pollution in Delhi’. Asked if the tournament will be moved to another city or different month, Mishra said it will be tabled to the BWF. “The new cycle that will start from 2027, the BWF will give us options regarding a different window. We will try to avoid this winter season,” he said.
