Danish Star Renews Criticism of Delhi Sports Complex Conditions
Danish badminton player Mia Blichfeldt has once again voiced strong criticism about the hygiene standards at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Sports Complex. The former World Tour winner made these comments just one day after her elimination from the BWF India Open's Round of 16 stage.
Persistent Complaints About Unacceptable Conditions
Blichfeldt, who had already raised concerns on the tournament's opening day, repeated her dissatisfaction before leaving India on Friday. She shared a social media post showing bird droppings on a badminton court and described her experience as deeply troubling.
"The past few days in India have been tough – tougher than I honestly expected," Blichfeldt wrote. "I had mentally prepared myself for 'the worst' once again, but the conditions surrounding us are simply unacceptable and highly unprofessional."
The Danish athlete emphasized that such conditions create significant challenges for players trying to maintain their competitive focus. "We are here to perform and to stay focused on our preparations, both on and off the court," she added. "Unfortunately, under these circumstances, it becomes extremely difficult to focus solely on competing and delivering our best performance."
Growing Player Frustration at Tournament Venue
Blichfeldt highlighted increasing frustration among competitors at the Super 750 event. "Everyone is stressed and frustrated by the conditions we are being met with at a World Tour Super 750 event," she stated. "At first, you try to laugh it off, but in the end, it is neither funny nor fair to the players or anyone participating in this event."
The situation escalated on Thursday when officials had to stop the match between India's HS Prannoy and Singapore's Loh Kean Yew twice. Bird droppings fell directly onto Court 1 during their encounter. This incident followed earlier reports of a monkey sighting in the stands near the practice area.
Additional Animal Incidents at the Complex
On Friday, spectators and players reported seeing stray dogs inside the sports complex. Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials responded by stationing a dog-catching van at the venue. These animal-related incidents have compounded concerns about the facility's readiness for major international competitions.
BWF Response and World Championship Concerns
The Badminton World Federation acknowledged facing challenges related to seasonal conditions but expressed confidence in the venue. "Our assessments confirm that the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex represents a significant upgrade and meets BWF's Field of Play requirements," the federation stated in an official response.
Despite this assurance, Blichfeldt remained unconvinced about the venue's suitability for upcoming events. "Sadly, under the current circumstances, I find it very difficult to see how a World Championship could be held here," she wrote. The Danish player did express hope for improved conditions and better protection for athletes in future tournaments.
The India Open serves as a test event ahead of the BWF World Championships scheduled for the same venue later this year. These ongoing concerns raise questions about preparations for that prestigious global competition.
