Danish Star Blichfeldt Voices Fresh Concerns Over India Open Venue
Danish badminton player Mia Blichfeldt has raised serious concerns about the playing conditions at the India Open for the second consecutive year. The tournament moved to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi this year, but Blichfeldt says the change has not improved the situation for athletes.
Unhealthy Environment and Cold Conditions
Blichfeldt described the stadium environment as dirty and unhealthy. She told reporters that players must wear multiple layers of clothing during warm-ups because of the extreme cold inside the venue.
"I think it's still very dirty and really unhealthy conditions for all the players," Blichfeldt said. "Everyone is warming up in two layers of pants and winter jackets and gloves and hats."
The cold temperatures make proper warm-up preparation difficult for athletes who need to move quickly on court. Blichfeldt emphasized this creates suboptimal conditions for professional competition.
No Improvement From Last Year's Complaints
When asked if conditions had improved since her criticism of the 2024 India Open at KD Jadhav Hall, Blichfeldt gave a clear response.
"To be honest, no," she stated bluntly.
She shared a particularly troubling experience from the warm-up courts, revealing that birds were flying around and defecating on the playing surface. Blichfeldt called this situation "really unhealthy and not normal" for a professional tournament.
Other Players Echo Concerns
Blichfeldt is not alone in her criticism. Canada's Michelle Li also reported feeling cold at the venue, saying it was hard to warm up properly. Former world champion Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand suggested organizers should provide heaters for players.
Intanon expressed hope that conditions would improve before the World Championships scheduled for the same venue in August.
Call for Organizational Action
Blichfeldt urged tournament organizers and the Badminton World Federation to address these issues promptly. She warned that poor conditions could lead to player injuries or illness.
"If players get sick or get injured because of these conditions, it's unfair," she emphasized.
The Danish player acknowledged the efforts of volunteers and Indian badminton association officials but stressed that more work needs to be done. She expressed concern that such conditions could affect India's reputation as it prepares to host major events.
Positive Note on Main Arena
Despite her criticism of the overall conditions, Blichfeldt praised the main competition arena itself.
"I think the arena is really good. It's huge," she said. "I'm happy with the court conditions but not the health conditions."
Her comments highlight a disconnect between the quality of the playing surface and the surrounding environment that affects player preparation and health.
Broader Implications for Indian Sports
These concerns come at a sensitive time for Indian sports. The country will host the Badminton World Championships at the same venue in August. India has also publicly expressed ambitions to host the 2036 Olympics.
Blichfeldt's repeated criticism raises questions about India's readiness to host major international sporting events. Professional athletes expect certain standards at tournaments, and failure to meet these standards could impact future event allocations.
The Denmark shuttler reached the second round of the India Open on Monday despite the challenging conditions. Her performance demonstrates professional commitment even in suboptimal environments.
