Three men hired to imitate langur calls a mix of grunts and hoots have been brought in to keep rhesus monkeys away from the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, ahead of the BWF World Championships.
Yes, it sounds unusual but this is actually happening. The move comes after a monkey entered the venue during the India Open earlier this year, while the tournament also faced complaints and disruptions involving bird droppings, pigeons, hygiene and air quality.
Even PV Sindhu reacted humorously to the unusual monkey-control plan, while also acknowledging the effort being made behind the scenes to prepare the venue.
And to be fair, unusual solutions at sporting events are not unique to India. Wimbledon has used Rufus, a Harris’s hawk, for years to keep pigeons away from its grounds and courts.
But the bigger question is not whether the monkey-mimic idea is funny or unusual.
The real question is: Is the venue safe, clean and comfortable enough for the players and staff?
After the problems reported during the India Open, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) said that the issues had been addressed and that the venue had undergone major improvements ahead of the World Championships.
So, if these unusual measures help prevent disruptions and protect the players, that’s a positive step. But the real test will come when the world’s best badminton players arrive in Delhi.
Because hosting a World Championship is not just about putting up a court — it’s about providing players with a safe, hygienic and world-class sporting environment.
The BWF World Championships will take place in New Delhi from 17–23 August 2026.