Recent criticism surrounding the India Open, particularly concerning venue conditions, has prompted a response from Lakshya Sen's coach, who has defended the Badminton Association of India (BAI) amidst the controversies. The India Open, a Super 750 tournament, has been under scrutiny for issues ranging from hygiene and air quality to on-court interruptions.
The coach's defense comes in the wake of complaints about the facilities at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the tournament's new venue. Notably, a men's singles match between H.S. Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew was halted twice due to bird droppings falling on the court, an incident that drew widespread attention and sparked debate about venue management.
Danish player Mia Blichfeldt has been particularly vocal, criticizing the "unhealthy and unprofessional surroundings" and claiming that the change of venue did little to improve conditions. She described the environment as "very dirty" and highlighted issues such as players warming up in multiple layers of clothing due to the cold. Blichfeldt also raised concerns about bird droppings on the warm-up courts, calling the situation "unhealthy and not normal". She had previously criticized conditions at the KD Jadhav hall, the previous venue, during the 2025 edition.
The BAI moved the India Open to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from the KD Jadhav hall, keeping in mind the World Championships in August. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has urged the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to address hygiene, venue maintenance, and air quality concerns at the India Open to prevent similar issues during the World Championships.
Addressing the criticisms, Lakshya Sen's coach acknowledged shortcomings but emphasized the importance of cleanliness and maintaining top-class facilities. The coach suggested that cleanliness should be a priority and stated that the responsibility shouldn't solely fall on the BAI or any other association. Drawing a comparison to airport standards, the coach questioned why similar levels of cleanliness couldn't be maintained within the stadium arena and players' lounge. The coach also noted the cold conditions and suggested that heating should have been provided for the players.
The BWF has acknowledged the concerns and outlined steps taken during the event to address them. The BWF stated that the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex represents a significant upgrade from the KD Jadhav Stadium, offering improved infrastructure. While acknowledging that some areas, including general cleanliness, hygiene, and animal control, required attention, the BWF stated that the BAI has acted promptly to address these concerns. The BWF has been conducting regular venue inspections, assessing areas such as the field of play, warm-up courts, and media zones.
BAI officials have stated that suitable alternative venues are limited and that the Indira Gandhi Stadium is the best option that meets BWF norms. They mentioned challenges with other potential locations, including seating capacity, hotel room availability and climate. The India Open is intended as a dress rehearsal for the BWF World Championships in August, providing an opportunity to identify and address operational gaps. Both the BWF and BAI have taken steps to address weather-related concerns during the tournament, including installing heaters in warm-up areas and food courts.
