Monkey on the loose and bird droppings at India Open?

KUALA LUMPUR: As the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Association of India (BAI) promised to improve organisational issues at the India Open, Singapore's former world champion Loh Kean Yew has added fuel to the controversy by posting new images about the ongoing concerns at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.

Kean Yew, whose match was affected by disruptions earlier this week, shared on his Instagram Stories footage of a monkey moving freely on the rafters of the venue, as well as fresh bird droppings spotted on court during the Super 750 tournament in New Delhi.

The posts emerged amid assurances from BWF that the issues raised by players and teams were being addressed, particularly after the tournament drew global attention for incidents involving falling bird droppings and complaints over cleanliness and hygiene.

In a statement issued earlier, BWF said it had been in discussions with players and teams to review conditions at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, which is also set to host the World Championships in August.

"While some areas of implementation, including general cleanliness and hygiene as well as animal control, have required attention, the Badminton Association of India has acted promptly to address these concerns," the world body said.

BWF said the venue meets its "field of play" requirements and offers greater space for athletes and officials, while reiterating its commitment to providing a safe and high-quality environment for all participants.

However, Kean Yew's latest posts suggest lingering issues, particularly with animal control, which had already come under scrutiny after his second-round match against India's H.S. Prannoy was halted twice on Thursday when bird droppings fell onto the court.

The India Open has also been overshadowed by broader concerns, including air quality and unusually cold conditions inside the venue, which BWF attributed largely to seasonal factors.

Denmark's men's singles world No. 2 Anders Antonsen withdrew from the India Open for the third consecutive year, citing air pollution, while compatriot and women's singles world No. 20 Mia Blichfeldt also raised concerns over cleanliness and the playing environment.

According to Indian media reports, BAI has pledged that the issues highlighted during the India Open will be resolved ahead of the World Championships.