‘Wrong to support those who criticize our nation’: BAI dismisses pollution and hygiene issues at India Open; downplays criticism | Badminton News – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Wednesday pushed back against criticism over playing conditions at the ongoing India Open 2026, with general secretary Sanjay Mishra dismissing the allegations leveled by Danish shuttlers and defending the arrangements at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.Mishra said the India Open will be held as a test event ahead of the BWF World Championships, which India will host at the same venue in August. He claimed that most players and coaches have appreciated the preparations, and suggested that individual health concerns should not be confused with organizational shortcomings.

“This event is a test event for us ahead of the BWF World Championships. Everyone has appreciated the wooden floors and the playing field here (Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium). There are no problems with accommodation or transportation. Mia (Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt) has some problems with dust and allergies; we can’t say anything about that. Players and coaches have appreciated the work that BAI has put into this tournament. In response to complaints about the cold weather, we installed additional heating and increased the number of heaters. We will discuss their wishes with BWF and will do everything we can. This way the World Championships will be organized properly,” Mishra told news agency ANI.His comments came after Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt alleged that training conditions in Delhi were unhygienic and alleged that there was pigeon droppings on the track. The criticism was followed by the withdrawal of world number 3 Anders Antonsen from the India Open, citing air pollution in the national capital.Antonsen later confirmed that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) had fined him US$5,000 for withdrawing from the tournament. He also expressed hope that air quality would improve later in the year when Delhi hosts the World Championships.Reacting to Antonsen’s withdrawal, Mishra questioned the legitimacy of his comments and said the Danish player had not received permission from BWF to skip the tournament.“He (Danish shuttler Anders Antonsen) cannot comment on the conditions here while he was in Denmark. His reason for withdrawal was not accepted by BWF and he was fined.”Mishra went further and suggested that such criticism crossed the line into the sports debate.“There is no place for politics in this sport. It is wrong to support those who criticize our nation from abroad,” he added.However, Antonsen had provided a detailed explanation of his decision on Instagram. “Many are curious as to why I have withdrawn from the India Open for the third consecutive year. Due to the extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment, I don’t think it is a place to host a badminton tournament,” he wrote.He also shared a screenshot of Delhi’s Air Quality Index, which showed an AQI value of 348, categorized as hazardous. In the post, Antonsen added: “I’m crossing my fingers that things will be better in the summer when the World Championships are held in Delhi. As a result, BWF has again fined me $5,000.”Under the BWF Player Commitment Regulations, the top committed players face a USD 5,000 fine for missing World Tour Level 1 to 3 events without approved exemptions, apart from standard withdrawal fines.Air quality in Delhi usually deteriorates in winter due to factors such as vehicle emissions, stubble burning and road dust. Medical experts have repeatedly warned about the health risks of long-term exposure to smog in the city.This year’s India Open was moved from the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, which will also host the BWF World Championships in August. With the India Open designated as a test event, criticism from players has raised questions about preparation, even as BAI continues to defend its commitments and approach.