‘I don't think it's a place to host a badminton tournament,’ writes Anders Antonsen
One of the world’s top seeded shuttlers has withdrawn from the India Open tournament in Delhi for the third year, citing “extreme pollution” in India’s national capital.
Anders Antonsen, who is ranked third according to badminton’s top governing body, said in a post on social media that he decided not to compete because of Delhi’s poor air quality.
The Danish shuttler added that he was fined $5,000 (£3,900) by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for pulling out.
Antonsen also shared a screenshot from the Swiss-based air quality monitoring firm IQAir showing Delhi’s air quality index at 348 on Wednesday, a level categorised as “very poor”.
“Due to the extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment, I don't think it's a place to host a badminton tournament,” he wrote.
“Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the summer when the World Championships will take place in Delhi.”
This is the third consecutive year Antonsen has skipped the tournament. His comments come amid renewed scrutiny of conditions at the India Open, one of the key stops on the global badminton calendar.
🚨 World No.3 Anders Antonsen has revealed the reason 'Extreme Pollution' behind his withdrawal from the India Open for the 3rd consecutive year.
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) January 14, 2026
The Danish shuttler cited, it’s not ideal to host a badminton event under current conditions.
He hopes the situation will improve… https://t.co/8PgSGCrnfVpic.twitter.com/EtEb1sqPhx
The tournament is being held in Delhi during the winter months, when air pollution in the city worsens to dangerous levels due to a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and smoke from crop residue burning in neighbouring states.
Delhi frequently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities at this time of year, with air quality index (AQI) readings often falling into the “severe” category. Prolonged exposure at such levels is linked to respiratory irritation, reduced lung function and increased risk for athletes engaged in high-intensity outdoor training.
Antonsen’s decision followed criticism about the venue from his compatriot Mia Blichfeldt, who raised concerns about hygiene and training conditions.
She shared images online highlighting issues inside the stadium, including cleanliness problems, prompting a broader debate over whether the event meets international standards.
“I am happy with the court conditions but not the health conditions,” she told The Indian Express.
“The floors are dirty and there is a lot of dirt on the courts. Also, there are birds flying in the arena, there is bird poop also.”
The comments from shuttlers have drawn mixed reactions in India. Some local officials and former players defended the tournament, arguing that indoor competition venues are largely insulated from outdoor pollution and that adequate arrangements have been made for players.
India’s badminton federation has said the event complies with international requirements and accused overseas players of exaggerating conditions.
The association’s General Secretary, Sanjay Mishra, said the main playing arena had been kept clean, dirt-free, and pigeon-free, and that several players had expressed satisfaction with the conditions, Firstpost reported.
“As an athlete who is more sensitive to dust and environmental factors, she was sharing a personal perspective on how conditions can sometimes impact her health,” Mr Mishra told Firstpost.
The issue of pollution has surfaced repeatedly across sports, with cricketers, footballers, and marathon runners also raising concerns in recent years about competing in the capital during peak pollution season.
Air pollution became an international embarrassment for India during Lionel Messi’s tour in December when his flight got delayed due to smog and reduced visibility, and his appearance at the Delhi stadium alongside Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta was overshadowed by slogans of “AQI, AQI” by a group of angry residents.
Delhi’s winter pollution is not unusual. Each year, colder temperatures and calmer winds trap pollutants close to the ground, leading to thick smog that can linger for days. Schools are often closed, construction activity curtailed and traffic restrictions imposed when air quality deteriorates sharply.
The India Open controversy adds to broader questions about how international sporting events should respond to environmental risks, particularly as climate change and urban pollution increasingly affect host cities.
Antonsen has not indicated whether he will return to the tournament in future years.
Category: General Sports
