Mia Blichfeldt, the 23rd-ranked badminton player in the world, has criticized the playing conditions and environmental issues at the india Open Super 750 competition, which is being played in the Indira gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
 
Her scathing critique has drawn attention to the organization and facilities of one of the most prominent badminton tournaments in India.
 
The india Open, which was promoted to the Super 750 level in 2023, has drawn international talent and become a major stop on the badminton circuit. Blichfeldt's comments, however, damaged the tournament's image. The Danish shuttler turned to her official instagram page to voice her strong opinions on New Delhi's pollution levels, infrastructure upkeep, and player welfare in general.

After exiting the women's singles event in the second round, Blitchfeldt wrote: "Finally home after a long and stressful week in India. It's 2 years in a row now that I get sick during india Open," she wrote. "It's really hard to accept that many weeks of work and preparing get wasted because of bad conditions. It's not fair to anyone that we have to train and play in smog, birds shitting on the courts, and dirt everywhere. These conditions are too unhealthy and unacceptable. @bwf.official."

One of Blichfeldt's medical problems was a stomach ailment, which she said caused her to throw up the night before her first-round bout. She overcame her countrywoman Julie Jakobsen 21-9, 21-14 despite being sick, but lost to Wang Zhi Yi of china in the second round, taking a game before losing 13-21, 21-16, 8-21.
 
"That tuesday night was awful. After her loss, she informed the Badminton World Federation (BWF), "I only slept in the morning because I kept throwing up all night."
 
"I'm really tired now, and my body is really dead. It's really frustrating when you've been training to come to these tournaments, and then this is one of the things that stops you from performing."

At the time of writing, the air Quality Index (AQI) of ITO area in Delhi, where KD Jadhav Indoor Hall (Indira gandhi Stadium) is situated, was 248, which is considered 'severe'. The high levels of pollution, combined with cold weather, poses a significant challenges for players. Additionally, pigeons flying inside the stadium and unclean playing surfaces added to the frustration.
 
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SIBY JEYYA

19/01/2025 09:59 AM