Loh Kean Yew Highlights On-Court Distractions Amidst India Open Animal Incidents

Last Updated:January 17, 2026, 08:47 IST

Loh Kean Yew follows Mia Blichfeldt in highlighting hygiene and animal problems at India Open, as criticism of BAI grows ahead of World Championships.

Loh Kean Yew has criticised the conditions at India Open (Picture credit: AFP)

Former world champion Loh Kean Yew followed Mia Blichfeldt in posting some embarrassing pictures from the India Open on social media, as criticism around the Super 750 continues to grow, with the Badminton Association of India being constantly slammed by overseas shuttlers.

Unusual disruptions marred star Indian shuttler HS Prannoy’s Round of 16 loss to Loh. The match was stopped twice because of bird droppings on the court, just days after BAI general secretary Sanjay Mishra had claimed the venue was pigeon-free.

Reports also spotted a monkey in the stands during the tournament. Meanwhile, Mia Blichfeldt has twice criticised the playing conditions and World No. 3 Anders Antonsen skipped the event, citing air pollution as his reason.

Now, Loh has taken to Instagram to reinforce these concerns. He posted a story of a monkey on Instagram and then also showed a video of bird droppings on a court.

Blichfeldt also raised concerns with the BWF ahead of the upcoming World Championships in New Delhi. On Instagram, she wrote: “Sadly, under the current circumstances, I find it very difficult to see how a World Championship could be held here.”

Meanwhile, Mishra has responded to the criticism. Speaking to India Todaythe BAI general secretary noted that the tournament was moved to the larger Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium and described it as a test event for the World Championships.

However, pictures of the venue circulating on social media have fuelled concerns over poor hygiene.

Meanwhile, Loh on Friday stunned Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a three-game thriller to book his spot in the semifinals of the India Open. On Saturday, January 17, he will take on third seed Jonatan Christie.

The latter has taken on Loh eight times and has won all the encounters. Their last face-off was at the China Masters in 2024, where Christie won in three games.

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