Danish shuttlers Mia Blichfeldt and Anders Antonsen led the criticisms against organizers of the India Open after having to deal with bird poop and extreme pollution at the Super 750 event.

Blichfeldt called for organizers at the ongoing New Delhi to do better after she witnessed birds destroying the training court.

“When I came to the practice court there were birds flying around and shitting on court. It’s unhealthy for all the players. It’s not normal, not many athletes will play under these conditions.

“This is a professional sport and everyone is doing their best to prepare. It won’t be good if they fall sick,” said the Danish women’s singles shuttler.

Her compatriot Antonsen confirmed he was pulling out for the third consecutive year due to extreme pollution.

“At the moment, I don’t think it’s a place to host a badminton tournament. Crossing my fingers it will be better in the summer when the World Championships takes place in (New) Delhi,” he posted on his socialmedia page.

Canadian women’s singles shuttler Michelle Li also questioned competing in hazardous conditions.

“Should athletes be taking risks to their health to attend top-tier tournaments when the air quality is hazardous?,” she asked.

The air quality index in New Delhi reads 348, which is hazardous.

National women’s doubles coach Rosman Razak also posted a view of New Delhi that is covered in haze.

This is not the first time India has come under fire for unsavoury conditions during a tournament.

Malaysian shuttler Soong Joo Ven, back in 2023, posted a video of black water coming out of his hotel bathroom.