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Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, the venue for Indian Open badminton tournament. (Express Photo by Abhinav Saha)

India Open: Badminton World Federation acknowledges issues with 'cleanliness, hygiene and animal control'

January 15, 2026 11:16 pm

However, BWF backs IG Indoor Stadium to host World Championships in August; Play was halted twice during a match on Thursday because of bird droppings falling from above on the court.

FILE: Former badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew in action. (PHOTO: AP)

'Everyone's stamina drops two levels', former World Champion Loh Kean Yew takes cheeky dig at Delhi weather

January 15, 2026 7:55 pm

The tournament is being hosted in a new playing arena and both shuttlers, Loh Kean Yew and HS Prannoy, face difficulty while trying to control the shuttle.

The India Open badminton game between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew was paused twice due to bird droppings falling on court. (Express Photo by Vinayakk Mohanarangan)

India Open badminton: Bird droppings falling on court halts match between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew twice

January 15, 2026 6:13 pm

A day after a monkey was spotted in the stands at IG Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, a match on Court 1 was halted twice due to shit falling down on court.

Men's singles shuttler HS Prannoy in action at the India Open Super 750. ( Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

HS Prannoy on finding motivation to keep going: 'Coach Gopichand always says to stay long in the game'

January 14, 2026 10:49 pm

A last-minute entry at India Open due to withdrawals, Prannoy defeated last edition's runner-up Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong in straight games 22-20, 21-18.

A monkey at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex hosting the India Open badminton super 750 tournament. (Photo courtesy: Dewismashes/Instagram)

After bird-poop complaints, monkey spotted at India Open badminton

January 14, 2026 8:38 pm

Korean men's doubles player Kang Min Hyuk, in Insta post, asks - 'Are animals (given) free admission?'

Hariharan Amsakarunan & MR Arjun in action during Round of 32 at the India Open 2025. (Photo: BAI)

India Open badminton: MR Arjun seeks a turnaround in fortunes, with a younger, fiery partner in Hariharan beating fancied Malaysians

January 13, 2026 10:23 pm

Talented, but held back by a slew of injuries, 28-year-old senior combines with the fearless 22-year-old as they take down Malaysian World No 34 Ong-Teo, 21-15, 21-18

Lakshya Sen in action at the India Open 750 badminton tournament. (Express Photo by Abhinav Saha)

How Lakshya Sen gauged chilly conditions in stadium and calibrated his game to demolish Ayush Shetty

January 14, 2026 8:25 am

Lakshya Sen controlled the net remarkably to cruise home, but faces a familiar nemesis next round, Kenta Nishimoto

World number 20 shuttler Mia Blichfeldt is not happy with the venue for the India Open tournament which will also host the BWF World Championships in August 2026. (Photo: BWF/Badminton Photo)

India Open 750: Mia Blichfeldt says upcoming Badminton World Championship arena in Delhi is ‘dirty’, has ‘bird poop’

January 14, 2026 8:25 am

This is the second year in a row Blichfeldt has complained about the conditions now at two different indoor stadiums adjacent to each other in New Delhi. Last year, she had complained about the same issues and had also fallen sick due to the food.