Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt says upcoming Badminton World Championship arena in Delhi is ‘dirty’, has ‘bird poop’; BAI hits back

Danish badminton player Mia Blichfeldt on Tuesday was in the middle of a fresh controversy as she accused playing conditions at the new Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi amid the ongoing India Open.

Blichfeldt, who had raised hygiene issues last year, said the switch in halls and done little to change the “unhealthy surroundings” for players.

However, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) firmly denied the claim.

This year, the BAI moved India Open Super 750 from the KD Jadhav hall to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, in view of the Badminton World Championships in August which India will be hosting after 17 years.

"I'm happy with the court conditions but not with health conditions," Blichfeldt told reporters.

The world No.20, who will play the second round, said she hoped that the change in venue would improve the conditions, but it was not to be.

"I actually hoped it was going to be better than the other hall. I think it’s still very dirty and really unhealthy conditions for all the players. Everyone is warming up in two layers of pants and winter jackets and gloves and hats,” Blichfeldt said in an interview with PTI video.

"It’s not good warm-up preparation for a player who has to go on court and move fast and go in splits. I know everyone is doing their best to make the conditions better for the players, but I think there's still a way to go.”

Meanwhile, BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra said, "I heard the voice recording, also read the statement, both are contradictory. In voice recording, she appreciated, but what I read was all negative.

“Last year, as well comment was made, but after the final, Viktor Axelsen had appreciated the tournament, he had said he would like to come to play in India Open. But I don't feel anyone has made any bad comment.”

“It's like a test event for us, to learn for World Championship, it's cold in Delhi, yes, so we're providing heaters, players are appreciating, we should not just go by one player's comment, she might have been sensitive," he added.

In a BAI statement, Mishra said, "Mia’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."

"She has clearly stated that the competition venue itself is well maintained. As mentioned in her conversation regarding the warm-up area, it is important to note that she was referring to the KD Jadhav Stadium, which is the training venue, and not the main playing arena.”

Mishra further said that Blichfeldt was more sensitive to dust and environmental factors and that it was her personal perspective.

"As an athlete who's more sensitive to dust and environmental factors, she was sharing a personal perspective on how conditions can sometimes impact her health. The playing arena has been kept clean, dirt-free and pigeon-free, and several players have expressed satisfaction with the conditions at the venue.”

Blichfeldt had criticised the conditions at the KD Jadhav hall too as "unhealthy and unacceptable" when it hosted the last edition of the India Open.

"To be honest, no," she said when asked if the conditions had improved.

"Yesterday when I came to the warm-up courts, there were birds flying around and shitting on the court. That’s really unhealthy and not normal.

"But again, I'm sure that everyone around in the Indian association and everyone as a volunteer here do their best. So I'm hoping that it's going to be even better for World Championships in the summer."

Blichfeldt, while speaking to media later, said she is more sensitive to environmental factors.

"For me, as a European player, maybe I'm more sensitive also with food and bacteria and that kind of stuff. This time I'm actually trying just to stay in my room and eating so I don't get sick," she said.

"I think it's a good test for me also. So when I come here for World Championships in August, even though I think maybe the conditions are going to be better because it's summer, so the temperature is better."

Calling for intervention from organisers and the sport’s governing body Badminton World Federation, Blichfeldt said professional standards must be upheld to protect players.

“I don’t think so many other athletes would play under these conditions,” she said.

“I hope everyone around the tournament, the association, and also BWF is going to look into this venue because it’s a professional sport.”

Blichfeldt warned that the consequences of inaction could be serious.

“If players get sick or get injured because of these conditions, it’s unfair,” she said, calling for improvements ahead of the World Championships.

Blichfeldt, however, was happy with the playing arena.