New Delhi, Jan. 15 -- The withdrawal of world no.3 badminton star Anders Antonsen from the ongoing Indian Open 2026 badminton tournament due to "extreme pollution" has sparked a debate among the fans as why the organisers opt for the National Capital every year despite knowing the environmental hazards during that time of the year.

Having started in 2008, the India Open is a Super 750 event in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) annual calendar. While Hyderabad (2008 & 2009) and Chennai (2009) hosted the first three editions, the India Open found a permanent host in New Delhi since 2011. The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.

Usually a March-April affair every year, the India Open was allocated a January window post ...