Archive · 12 Aug 2026
PV Sindhu defends 'monkey whisperers' ahead of BWF World Championships
A very big badminton competition called the BWF World Championships is coming to New Delhi, India.
Earlier this year, at a different badminton event in the same city called the India Open, a monkey got inside the stadium and bird droppings stopped the matches for a little while.
Organizers did not want that to happen again at the big championship.
Monkeys are scared of bigger animals called langurs, so organizers hired special people called 'monkey whisperers' who copy the sounds langurs make.
When the monkeys hear those sounds, they stay away, and no animals are hurt.
Some people were not happy about this idea and criticized it, but a famous Indian player named PV Sindhu defended it.
She said every big sports event has its own local problems, and she pointed out that Wimbledon, a famous tennis championship, uses a hawk named Rufus to keep pigeons away.
She said she does not understand why people are upset and called the monkey solution 'uniquely Indian.'
The championships will be held from August 17 to 23, and the venue has also been improved in many other ways.
Sindhu said she is sure India will deliver a world-class World Championships.
PV Sindhu defended the hiring of trained 'monkey whisperers' who imitate langur calls to keep monkeys away from the BWF World Championships venue in New Delhi, saying she does not understand the outrage.
The decision followed disruptions at the India Open in Delhi, where a monkey entered the stadium and bird droppings temporarily halted matches.
Sindhu compared the measure to Wimbledon's long-time use of Rufus the hawk to keep pigeons away at the All England Club.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) reportedly brought in three experts to mimic langur calls and deter rhesus macaques at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex.
The BWF World Championships 2026, scheduled for August 17-23 in New Delhi, also includes wider venue upgrades such as pigeon-deterrent gel, renovated facilities, and upgraded lighting and playing surfaces.
- Who
- PV Sindhu, the Badminton Association of India (BAI), and trained professionals ('monkey whisperers') who mimic langur calls.
- What
- Organizers deployed 'monkey whisperers' mimicking langur calls to deter monkeys from the BWF World Championships venue, a measure PV Sindhu defended against critics.
- When
- The BWF World Championships are scheduled for August 17-23; the India Open disruption occurred earlier this year (one article referred to the incidents as last year).
- Where
- New Delhi, India, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex.
- Why
- To prevent a repeat of animal-related disruptions that embarrassed the India Open and to ensure a smooth, world-class experience for players and spectators.
Critics of the monkey-control measure
PV Sindhu and the organizers
Hiring 'monkey whisperers' to mimic langur calls
Critics of the monkey-control measure
The decision to hire mimic professionals drew intense criticism and became a subject of outrage, with critics questioning the unusual measure.
PV Sindhu and the organizers
Sindhu and organizers argue every major sporting event faces local challenges, citing Wimbledon's long use of Rufus the hawk; the measure is humane and just one of countless preparations.
India's readiness to host a world-class event
Critics of the monkey-control measure
Disruptions at the India Open, including a monkey entering the stadium and bird droppings halting matches, drew global attention and criticism of the venue.
PV Sindhu and the organizers
Organizers undertook a full venue overhaul, and Sindhu wrote she is '100% sure' India will deliver a world-class World Championships with Indian hospitality.
- Event
- BWF World Championships 2026
- Location
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex, New Delhi, India
- Dates
- August 17-23
- Monkey deterrent
- Trained 'monkey whisperers' mimicking langur calls; BAI reportedly brought in three experts to deter rhesus macaques
- Previous disruption
- A monkey entered the stadium and bird droppings halted matches at the India Open in Delhi
- Comparison cited by Sindhu
- Wimbledon's Rufus the hawk, used for years to keep pigeons away at the All England Club
- PV Sindhu's stance
- 'I genuinely don't understand the outrage'; called the solution 'uniquely Indian'
- Venue upgrades
- Pigeon-deterrent gel, renovated infrastructure and hygiene facilities, enhanced entry systems and crowd management, upgraded lighting and playing surfaces
Sources
Sindhu pushes back against criticism over monkey control at BWF World Championships: 'Don’t understand outrage'
'Don't Understand The Outrage': PV Sindhu Defends 'Monkey Whisperers' Ahead Of BWF World Championships, Cites Wimbledon's Rufus The Hawk
