3 weeks ago
Sindhu Praises 'Monkey Whisperers' Ahead Of BWF World Championships
The badminton world championships are coming to Delhi, India, this August.
Some monkeys called rhesus macaques like to visit the stadium where players compete.
Earlier this year, a monkey walked into the stadium during another badminton tournament.
Pigeons caused problems too, because their droppings fell on the court and stopped a match.
So organizers came up with a clever plan.
They trained three men to copy the sounds of langur monkeys, which are bigger monkeys that macaques are scared of.
The men will make langur-like grunts and hoots to keep the monkeys away.
People on the internet laughed and called it 'next-level Jugaad,' a word for a clever, creative solution.
Famous badminton player PV Sindhu also laughed, but she said she loves the effort.
She said many people are working hard to make India ready to welcome the world.
Three men have been trained to mimic langur grunts and hoots to keep rhesus macaques away from the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium during the BWF World Championships 2026 in Delhi.
The measure comes after a monkey entered the venue during the India Open earlier this year, where pigeon droppings also forced a halt in play.
Indian badminton star PV Sindhu reacted on X, saying: "You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort."
The championships run from August 17 to 23, marking the 30th edition and the event's return to India after 17 years.
Social media users called the move 'next-level Jugaad,' with reactions ranging from amusement to praise for keeping macaques away without harm.
- Who
- Three men trained to mimic langur calls, Indian badminton star PV Sindhu, and organisers including the Badminton Association of India.
- What
- Organisers hired three 'monkey whisperers' to imitate langur grunts and hoots to keep rhesus macaques away from the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, venue of the BWF World Championships 2026.
- Where
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium (Indira Gandhi Arena), New Delhi, India.
- When
- The video and reactions surfaced on August 10-11, 2026; the championships run from August 17 to 23, 2026.
- Why
- To prevent a repeat of India Open incidents in which a monkey entered the venue and bird droppings halted play.
Concerns Over Venue And Method
Organisers Defend Preparations
Venue conditions after the India Open
Concerns Over Venue And Method
The India Open raised concerns about cleanliness, hygiene and animal control, with a monkey entering the venue and bird droppings forcing play to stop; the Badminton World Federation acknowledged these issues.
Organisers Defend Preparations
The Badminton Association of India rejected allegations of poor conditions, saying the issues have been addressed and the World Championships will provide a much better experience.
Live callers vs recorded sounds
Concerns Over Venue And Method
Some social media users questioned the approach, asking why the langur calls were not simply recorded and played through well-placed speakers.
Organisers Defend Preparations
Others praised the move as a harmless, 'next-level Jugaad' solution that keeps macaques away without harming them and shows organisers' commitment.
Key facts
- Event
- BWF World Championships 2026 (30th edition)
- Dates
- August 17-23, 2026
- Venue
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
- Monkey deterrent
- Three men imitating langur grunts and hoots
- Target animals
- Rhesus macaques
- Reason for measure
- Monkey entered the venue during the India Open earlier this year
- Sindhu's reaction
- "You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort."
- Return to India
- First World Championships in India in 17 years
Quotes
PV Sindhu
Indian badminton star
“You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
'Laugh... But Love The Effort': PV Sindhu REACTS To 'Monkey Whisperers' At BWF World Championships 2026 VIDEO
3 Men Hired To Mimic Langurs’ Hoots At BWF World Championships; Internet Calls It ‘Next-level Jugaad’








