New Delhi : As the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2026 unfolded at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, fans and players alike found themselves talking less about smash winners and more about what’s going wrong off the court — from stray beams to stray birds.
A Visual and Structural Stumble
Multiple observers, including live viewers and online commentators, noted uneven and poorly calibrated lighting on several courts, with sections appearing dim or patchy compared with professional standards — prompting fans to quip that even their local club lights looked better.
Though the Sportstar headline itself decried lighting miscalibration as casting a “dreary shadow” over the event (crediting Sportstar for that framing), the lighting concerns formed just one thread in an increasingly tangled narrative around the tournament’s setup.
Hygiene and Gameplay Interruptions Take Centre Stage
The lighting chatter was quickly eclipsed by more disruptive problems that directly affected play:
Bird droppings twice halted HS Prannoy’s match against Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, forcing clean-ups mid-game.
Debris from a bird’s nest caused a stoppage in the women’s doubles semifinal.
Players complained about pollution and venue cleanliness, with Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt describing conditions as “unhealthy and unacceptable.”
A monkey in the stands and questionable washroom hygiene added to the negative buzz around the facility.
Player Voices and Officials’ Response
“I hoped it would be better than the other hall,” Denmark’s Blichfeldt wrote on social media, lamenting the situation. “…birds shitting on the courts, and dirt everywhere.”
Organisers, including the Badminton Association of India (BAI) and the Badminton World Federation (BWF), acknowledged some issues — particularly hygiene and animal control — and said steps were being taken ahead of future events, including the World Championships scheduled later this year.
What This Means for India’s Sporting Ambitions
As India gears up to host larger global competitions, these in-venue controversies — from lighting inconsistencies to bird-induced court interruptions — have raised questions about readiness and execution.
The tournament did crown champions and produced thrilling rallies, but for many, the headlines were defined not by badminton brilliance, but by how easily basic infrastructure lapses became the talk of the event.
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