Ashmita Chaliha questions BWF: 'If this tournament were held in India, would it be criticized?'

Ashmita Chaliha, India's top women's singles player at the Indonesia Masters Super 100, has spoken out against the playing conditions at the Surabaya arena. She questioned the unfairness in how BWF inspects tournament standards across countries, while praising India for successfully hosting the World Championships. Chaliha, 26, is having a season described as successful, having reached the quarter-finals of this Super 100 event – the lowest tier in the BWF World Tour. However, instead of focusing on her performance, she took time to address the environmental issues. "The conditions here are really bad. The court is hazy like there's smog, the air is hard to breathe. I wonder, if this tournament were held in India, would people be criticizing as harshly?" – Chaliha said after her second-round win. The Assamese shuttler has won two consecutive matches to reach the quarter-finals. In the Round of 32, she overcame Thailand's Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21-17, 23-21. The match was tight, showing Chaliha didn't dominate but won through clutch play. In the second round, she defeated former junior world champion Goh Jin Wei of Malaysia in a three-game battle: 10-21, 21-10, 21-17. Losing the first game 10-21 then winning 21-10 shows good tactical adjustment, but also reveals a slow start. Chaliha is the top seed at this tournament, implying her world ranking is in the 50-80 range. Competing at a Super 100 event suggests she is still in a points-accumulation phase, aiming to improve her ranking and compete for Olympic and World Championship spots alongside other Indian players. Notably, Chaliha didn't just complain. She directly compared with her home event: "We just witnessed the World Championships held in New Delhi being a huge success. SAI and BAI did a great job. So why is it different here?" Chaliha's question reflects a long-standing reality in international badminton: the asymmetry in enforcing tournament standards between countries. In the past, India faced heavy criticism over air quality, hygiene, and playing conditions at the India Open. Denmark's Anders Antonsen even withdrew from the 2026 event and accepted a fine over pollution concerns. Another Dane, Mia Blichfeldt, also publicly criticized hygiene issues at the same tournament. However, when similar issues occur in Indonesia, there is less international backlash. Chaliha pointed out this injustice: "I don't understand why India is always scrutinized so closely, while other countries are not. We've proven we can host world-class events, yet we're still criticized. But here, people stay silent." Indeed, the Indonesia Masters Super 100 is one of BWF's lowest-tier events, typically attracting players ranked 50-150. Lower-tier events often have limited budgets, leading to substandard facilities. However, the question is whether health and safety standards for athletes should be uniform across all tournament levels. Chaliha has reached the quarter-finals, where she will face a stronger opponent. Regardless of the result, she has sparked a necessary debate about BWF's responsibility to ensure fair playing conditions for all players, regardless of the tournament level. "I don't want to be misunderstood as complaining. I just want people to look at the issue fairly. If we demand high standards in India, we must demand the same elsewhere. Athlete health is paramount." Chaliha's statement has received support from many colleagues, especially players from developing countries. Some believe BWF needs to review its venue inspection processes, particularly for lower-tier events. On the professional side, Chaliha has a great opportunity to win her first Super 100 title. As the top seed, she is favored over the remaining opponents. However, her recent tight matches show she needs to improve consistency, especially in the opening games. "I know I need to focus on the next match. But I can't stay silent about what I'm experiencing. We – the players – deserve to compete in the best possible conditions." This incident raises a big question for BWF: is the organization applying double standards between member nations? And will the criticism from players like Chaliha be heard to improve the system? While waiting for BWF's response, Chaliha continues her journey in Indonesia. She has proven she is not only a talented player but also a courageous voice, willing to fight for athletes' rights. Whether this will affect her career remains to be seen. But certainly, she has made an indelible mark on the world of badminton.