Danish Star Blasts India Open Conditions as 'Dirty and Unhealthy'
Danish badminton player Mia Blichfeldt delivered a harsh critique of the playing conditions at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Tuesday. The world number twenty described the venue for the India Open Super 750 tournament as dirty, unhealthy, and not normal. She issued a strong warning about player safety being compromised just months before the same stadium hosts the World Championships.
Venue Change Fails to Impress Players
The Badminton Association of India moved the tournament this year from the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall to the larger IGI Stadium. Officials positioned this relocation as a major upgrade and a preparatory step for hosting the World Championships in August. This will be India's first time hosting the event in seventeen years. However, Blichfeldt offered a blunt assessment of the change.
"Little has changed, except for the size of the building," she told reporters. "I actually hoped it was going to be better than the other hall. But it's still very dirty and really unhealthy for the players."
Cold Environment Creates Warm-Up Problems
The Danish shuttler explained that the cold and unhygienic environment actively undermines proper preparation. She said it heightens the risk of injury for all competitors. "Everyone is warming up in two layers of pants, winter jackets, gloves and hats," Blichfeldt observed. "It's not good warm-up preparations for a player who has to go on court and move fast and go in splits."
Canadian player Michelle Li echoed these concerns about the difficult conditions. "It felt very cold and it was hard to warm up," Li stated simply, confirming the widespread discomfort among athletes.
Former Champion Calls for Immediate Fixes
Former world champion Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand called for immediate improvements to the facility. "We need something like heaters," Intanon insisted. "When we want to be ready on court, our bodies need to be very warm. Right now, it's still very cold. I don't know how the weather will be during the World Championships, but I really hope we get a much warmer place."
BAI Official Responds to Criticism
Sanjay Mishra, the general secretary of the Badminton Association of India, reacted to the players' complaints. He suggested Mia Blichfeldt's comments were made in a broader context about general playing conditions and personal health sensitivities. "She has clearly stated that the competition venue itself is well maintained," Mishra claimed. "As mentioned in her conversation regarding the warm-up area, it is important to note that she was referring to the KD Jadhav Stadium which serves as the training venue and not the main playing arena."
The controversy casts a shadow over India's preparations to host the prestigious World Championships later this year. Players are clearly demanding better conditions before the major tournament arrives in New Delhi.
