India hosting a major sporting event rarely goes without controversy. With the World Championship slated for later this year, the India Open was meant to be a flawless dress rehearsal. Instead, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) finds itself with a monkey on its back—literally.
It began with a pigeon problem. While birds in rafters are common, these were nesting directly above the training facilities earmarked for overseas stars. When Danish player Mia Blichfeldt complained post-match, the BAI’s response was callous; they dismissed it as a “one-off” and suggested the shuttler simply had sensitive allergies.
The fire was fueled when Kidambi Srikanth attempted to defend the venue by comparing the hygiene issues to a 2017 power outage in Denmark. This defensive stance backfired, sparking a social media war between Indian and Danish shuttlers. Then came the “Antonsen Bomb.” World No. 3 men’s singles player Anders Antonsen revealed on Instagram that Delhi’s pollution was the reason he skipped the tournament, claiming he even faced a BWF fine for his absence.
Monkey wants to watch
Then, things turned surreal. On Day 2, a monkey breached the indoor complex, making its way into the stands and posing for photos—becoming the unintended mascot of the event.
Poop on the court: Final nail in the coffin
The final blow, however, came from the pigeons. On Day 3, while BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra was busy deflecting blame to “foreigners” and political opponents, a pigeon aimed at the centre court. In front of the cameras, it “decorated” the very wooden flooring Mishra had just been praising.
The round of 16 match between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew had to be halted mid-set to clean the court after the pigeon-led drama. Prannoy eventually lost in three sets, a victim of the chaotic atmosphere.
We are only three days into the tournament, and the BAI is already under siege. Whether they will accept accountability or continue to deflect remains the biggest match of the week.