‘You can laugh at the solution’: PV Sindhu reacts to monkey-proof World C’ships preparations | Badminton News
PV Sindhu has reacted to the unusual but detailed preparations being made to keep animals away from the BWF World Championships in New Delhi.The tournament begins on August 17, with organisers taking extra precautions after pigeons and a monkey disrupted the India Open earlier this year.Organisers have even hired three men who can imitate langur calls to scare monkeys away.“You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort,” PV Sindhu wrote on X.“So many people are working behind the scenes to make sure India is ready to welcome the world. Our solutions may be uniquely Indian, but so are our warmth, our spirit and our hospitality. Can’t wait for the badminton world to experience it all in Delhi. See you soon!”“Monkeys are very afraid of langurs, which are much bigger than them, so when we make these sounds, monkeys usually flee. We have worked in the South and North Block in New Delhi and Gurgaon previously. It is very effective,” Zafar, one of the men, said.The Badminton Association of India (BAI) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) have upgraded the Indira Gandhi Stadium ahead of the World Championships, which return to India after 17 years. Vents have been sealed, wooden doors replaced with double-door entrances and an automatic outer door installed.Organisers have also used a non-toxic gel around the stadium’s ducting to keep birds and insects away. Machines producing sounds similar to predatory birds have been placed inside the venue as another deterrent.SAI Executive Director Ambar Pratap Singh said officials are working with the MCD to prevent monkeys and stray dogs from entering the wider campus.“We have introduced double doors, automatic closing system… now it is not possible for monkeys to enter the arena. As far as the whole campus is concerned, there can be a possibility (of stray monkeys) but we are in touch with the MCD. For dogs also we are regularly in touch with the MCD. They will do whatever is there to be done… send them (dogs) to shelters,” he said.
