Feb 26, 2026: Delhi’s athletes and sports enthusiasts left gasping as air quality remains ‘poor’

For today’s episode of Aaj Ka AQI, Newslaundry visited the popular Siri Fort Sports Complex in South Delhi. Outside the sports complex, regularly visited by sports enthusiasts, our air quality monitor recorded an AQI of 290, which falls in the ‘poor’ category. Meanwhile, the nearest government station recorded a significantly lower AQI of 200, which sits at the limit of the CPCB’s ‘moderate’ classification.

The Delhi government informed the High Court on Wednesday that it is unable to alter the annual sports calendar, even when winter air pollution reaches ‘severe’ or ‘hazardous’ levels. This marks a sharp U-turn from November 2025, when the government suspended all sports activities due to toxic air. This shift comes just days after local students petitioned the court to halt sporting events amid plummeting air quality.

This show is part of a collaborative campaign to tackle air pollution. Here’s how you can join the Fight To Breathe. Click here to power this campaign.