BAI General Secretary Defends India Open Amid Danish Players' Criticism
The Badminton Association of India has strongly responded to recent criticism from Danish shuttlers regarding conditions at the India Open tournament in New Delhi. BAI general secretary Sanjay Mishra addressed the controversy after Denmark's Anders Antonsen withdrew from the competition and Mia Blichfeldt complained about playing conditions.
Mishra Questions Antonsen's Right to Comment from Denmark
Speaking about world number three Anders Antonsen's withdrawal from the tournament, Mishra made his position clear. "He can't comment on the conditions here while sitting in Denmark," Mishra told ANI. "Can I talk about Denmark's conditions sitting here in India?"
Mishra revealed that the Badminton World Federation did not accept Antonsen's reason for withdrawal. The Danish player had cited extreme pollution in New Delhi as his reason for pulling out. "His reason for withdrawal was not accepted by BWF and he was fined," Mishra stated firmly.
Venue Shift and Blichfeldt's Specific Complaints
The 2026 India Open is being hosted at the IG Indoor Stadium instead of the KD Jadhav Indoor stadium where previous editions were held. This shift occurred because India will host the BWF World Championships in August this year. Organizers wanted to use the India Open as a trial event at the larger IG Indoor Stadium.
Danish player Mia Blichfeldt raised several concerns about the venue on Tuesday. She specifically mentioned:
- Dirty floors with significant amounts of dirt on the courts
- Birds flying inside the arena
- Bird droppings present in the playing area
"I'm happy with the court conditions but not the health conditions," Blichfeldt had stated about her experience at the venue.
BAI's Response to Player Concerns
Mishra defended the tournament organization and venue preparations. "This event is a test event for us before the BWF World Championships," he explained. "Everyone has appreciated the wooden flooring and playing area here at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium."
The BAI general secretary acknowledged Blichfeldt's specific concerns but offered a different perspective. "Mia has some issues with dust and allergies; we can't say anything about that," Mishra commented. He emphasized that other participants have responded positively to the arrangements.
Regarding complaints about cold weather conditions, Mishra detailed the association's response. "We installed additional heaters and increased the number of heaters," he stated. The BAI plans to consult with BWF about requirements to ensure the World Championships proceed smoothly later this year.
Mishra concluded by highlighting the broader appreciation for BAI's efforts. "Players and coaches have appreciated the work BAI has put into this tournament," he asserted, standing by the association's preparations despite the criticism from Danish competitors.
