Danish badminton player’s direct attack on Delhi’s pollution and filth, questions raised on hosting India Open

Denmark’s top badminton player Mia Blichfelt (World No. 20) has recently given her sharp reaction to the poor conditions of Delhi, especially air pollution and weak infrastructure, during the India Open Super 750 tournament (January 2026, New Delhi). His statement has not only sparked online debate but has also raised questions on serious issues like India’s hosting of international sporting events and the safety of players. The event has also focused preparation for the World Badminton Championships to be held in August 2026.

What complaints did player Mia Blichfeldt make?

Mia Blichfelt expressed her strong displeasure over the situation in Delhi through Instagram posts and videos. Their main complaints were as follows:

• He described these conditions as unacceptable and unprofessional, making it difficult for players to concentrate on performance.

• He cited problems such as air pollution, presence of monkeys in stadium stands, bird droppings and a general unhealthy environment.

• He also said that under such circumstances, organizing the World Badminton Championship to be held in August 2026 would be challenging and demanded improvements from the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

While returning after losing in the second round of the tournament, he expressed his anger, which quickly went viral on social media.

How did other players react?

Mia Blichfeldt was not the only one who expressed concern over the conditions in Delhi. Another top Danish player Anders Antonsen (world number 3) also described Delhi’s pollution as unsuitable for badminton. According to reports, he withdrew from the India Open tournament for the third consecutive year, for which he also had to pay a fine.

What was the response of the organizers and BWF?

After this controversy, the organizers and Badminton World Federation (BWF) have given their reaction.

• BWF acknowledged that challenges such as seasonal haze, cold and air quality remain. However, he also said that the new stadium (Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium) is better than the old one (KD Jadhav Hall). BWF has promised to improve cleanliness, hygiene and animal control.

• Badminton Association of India (BAI) has also said to take immediate action on this issue. He said that further improvements will be made based on the feedback from the players before the World Championship.

Last Updated: 19 January 2026