Mia's tweet is proof that we have done well, says BAI secretary over World C'ship hosting

New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) As the BWF World Championship 2026 concluded on Sunday with the home fans ecstatic over the historic bronze by Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary general Sanjay Mishra expressed happiness over the praise they received for successfully hosting the mega event. 

The BAI has faced criticism over the organisation of the India Open badminton competition over the last couple of years, but made special efforts and arrangements for the World Championship, which it hosted at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the national capital.

Asked whether he was happy with the successful conclusion of the World Championship, the BAI secretary general said, "Yes, we have done it. So, all the players are happy," he told IANS on Sunday.

Mishra invoked the example of a Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt, who had, earlier this year, criticised the playing conditions at the $950,000 India Open for the second year in a row, after questioning the state of the venue last year too.

"The biggest example is Mia Blichfeldt, who was negative last time. She was the first one to tweet and appreciate our efforts this time. And all the players, not only players, officials and BWF members, all of them appreciated it," said Mishra after the event went off without any glitch.

Earlier in the day, Badminton World Federation (BWF) President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul praised India’s passionate badminton fans and said the country had 'opened its heart to the world' while reflecting on the successful hosting of the BWF World Championships 2026 in the national capital.

Patama highlighted the warmth of the Indian fans and the country’s ability to make the global badminton community feel welcome during the prestigious championships. “I am proud of the fans in India, who know this sport and cheer with real knowledge. And I am proud of a country that opened its heart to the world,” Patama said in an official statement released on Sunday.

The BWF president said the championships, which returned to India after 17 years, had received praise from across the badminton community and credited the host nation for delivering an event worthy of the sport’s biggest stage.

“What a week New Delhi has given us. India waited 17 years for this moment, and India made every year count. The BWF World Championships 2026 have won praise from every corner of our sport,” she said.

A couple of days back, Badminton World Federation (BWF) Secretary General Thomas Lund praised the facilities and conditions at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex for the World Championships, expressing satisfaction over the venue's rapid transformation following earlier controversies.

Mishra too said that the BWF officials were very appreciative of the efforts put in by the BAI in organising the World Championship 2026.

"I was talking to BWF members, and they said that messages are coming from all over the world. All positive, no negatives, only positive messages," he said.

The BAI has made special efforts to have the stadium spruced up and even employed special 'monkey whisperers' to tackle the simian menace that has plagued sports events in New Delhi earlier.

--IANS

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