KUALA LUMPUR – The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has called on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to address several organisational concerns, including cleanliness and air quality, at the ongoing India Open in New Delhi, to prevent similar problems during the World Championships in August.
Indian media reports have highlighted issues such as bird droppings and poor hygiene at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, where the Super 750 event is currently being held.
Speaking to Scoop, BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said that national players and coaches have not lodged any formal complaints so far, but he believes the reports regarding the facilities and competition environment warrant attention.
“We have not received any complaints yet. However, if these issues have indeed occurred, they must be taken seriously by the BWF and not simply brushed aside,” Kenny said.
“BWF needs to conduct close monitoring so that the same problems do not recur during the World Championships. I believe they will engage with the organisers and address the issues that arose during this Super 750 tournament.”
Concerns over the venue surfaced after yesterday’s second-round match between Singapore’s former world champion Loh Kean Yew and India’s H.S. Prannoy was halted twice due to bird droppings falling onto the court.
Denmark’s world number three Anders Antonsen also recently revealed that severe air pollution in New Delhi was the reason he withdrew from the India Open for the third consecutive year, despite being fined US$5,000 (RM20,237) by the BWF.
“The extreme conditions made the city unsuitable for an elite tournament. Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the summer when the World Championships are held in New Delhi,” he wrote on social media.
It was also reported that Denmark’s women’s singles world number 20, Mia Blichfeldt, complained about unhygienic conditions, including bird droppings and dust, at the K.D. Jadhav Indoor Hall, which serves as the warm-up venue for the India Open.
Despite these concerns, Kenny believes it is too early to discuss relocating the World Championships, which are scheduled to take place from August 17 to 23.
“I think it is premature to comment on relocation. We should wait and see what steps the organisers and the BWF take,” he said. — January 16, 2026