India Open 2026: Bird Feces stops Match Twice, Monkeys seen in Stands - Delhi's Indira Gandhi Stadium's abysmal condition Exposed Again

The hapless conditions of the India Open venue got exposed after unusual disruptions, which marked the India Open 2026 badminton tournament at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

Bird droppings interrupted a key men's singles match in the India Open on Thursday. This incident followed closely after a monkey appeared in the spectator stands, amplifying concerns about venue maintenance.

Match Interruptions

HS Prannoy of India faced Singapore's eighth-seeded Loh Kean Yew in a tense pre-quarterfinal clash on the main Court 1. Play stopped twice-once near the end of the first game with Prannoy ahead 16-14, and again early in the third game at 1-0-when droppings fell from the stadium ceiling, requiring officials to clean the court with wipes.

Player Reactions

Prannoy fought hard but

fell in three games (21-18, 19-21, 14-21). "I think it was bird shit which halted the game," Prannoy told the media after a valiant battle, which he lost in three games to Loh. He dismissed broader complaints, stating, "I don't think so. It's pretty same for all the players out there. When you're on court, it doesn't matter. Just up to you what you want to do," and added, "It's pretty cold out here. For sure, it is. But after the first few points, you get used to it. "

The episode came a day after a monkey roamed the stands and practice areas, captured in photos by photographer Azlina Dewi and a video from Korean player Kang Min-hyuk, who joked about "free animal admission. " It echoed Day 1 criticisms from Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt on "unhealthy" training conditions with pigeon droppings at KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, prompting Badminton Association of India secretary general Sanjay Mishra to claim the main venue was pigeon-free, though BAI later called the monkey sighting "unfortunate," possibly from an open door near greenery.

World No. 2 Anders Antonsen withdrew citing Delhi's extreme pollution, deeming the city unfit for January badminton. Loh Kean Yew mentioned breathing issues, opting for masks and indoor stays amid hazardous air. The BWF noted ongoing reviews of facilities, as the stadium prepares for August's World Championships.

Despite repeated concerns from athletes and abysmal conditions of the arena in Delhi, the tournament continues to be hosted at the Capital. It is to be seen if BAI takes a closer look at shifting to a cleaner venue, or a new city altogether which may have a better AQI than Delhi. Recently, the WTT feeder event took place in Vadodara's Sama Sports Complex, with a significantly better setup and cleaner circumstances.