India Open 2026: BAI Clarifies Player Health Concerns After Mia Blichfeldt's Remarks

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Tuesday issued a clarification after Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt raised concerns over player health and warm-up conditions at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the new venue for the Yonex-Sunrise India Open in New Delhi. The federation stressed that the criticism was not directed at the main playing area and reaffirmed that the competition venue has been maintained to international standards, despite players continuing to raise issues regarding temperatures and training areas.

In an official statement, BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra said Blichfeldt's comments were made " in a broader context around general playing conditions and personal health sensitivities, and not about the playing arena at the Yonex-Sunrise

India Open specifically. " he added that the Danish shuttler had herself acknowledged that the match courts were well-maintained.

According to the BAI, the concerts raised were linked to the KD Jadhav Stadium, which is being used as a training and warm-up venue, and not the main competition hall at the IG Stadium. Mishra underlined that the arena has been kept "clean, dirt-free and pigeon-free," with several players expressing satisfaction with the conditions.

Blichfeldt, however, maintained that while the courts were good, the overall environment remained a concern. Speaking to reporters after advancing to the second round, the world No. 20 said she had hoped the shift from the KD Jadhav Hall to the IG Stadium would result in tangible improvements.

"I am happy with the court conditions but not with health conditions," she said, pointing to cold, dusty warm-up areas where players were forced to train in multiple layers of clothing. She added that such preparation was far from ideal for a high-intensity sport that demands speed, flexibility, and explosive movement.

Concerns persist from last India Open

The Danish player also recalled similar issues during last year's tournament at the KD Jadhav Hall, calling the situation "unhealthy and unacceptable. " According to Blichfeldt, birds flying around and fouling the warm-up courts were among the persistent issues.

https://x.com/AAPforNewIndia/status/2011057944754856163?s=20

While she acknowledged the efforts of organisers and volunteers, she stressed that professional standards needed to be upheld, especially with the venue set to host the World Championships later this year. "If players get sick or get injured because of these conditions, it's unfair," she said, urging both organisers and the Badminton World Federation to take note.

Other players echoed parts of her assessment. Canada's Michelle Li described the arena as cold and difficult to warm up in, while former world champion Ratchanok Intanon suggested the need for heaters to help players reach match readiness.

Despite the criticism, Blichfeldt struck a measured note, saying the India Open served as a useful test run ahead of August's World Championships, when she expects conditions to improve with warmer weather.

At the heart of the debate lies a familiar tension in elite sport: world-class competition demands world-class environments. With India set to host the sport's biggest event later this year, the coming months will be crucial in ensuring that ambition is matched by execution.