New Delhi: The countdown to the BWF World Championships 2026 has produced an unexpected viral moment away from the badminton court.
With the prestigious tournament set to begin at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on August 17, organisers have taken an unusual step to prevent one of Delhi’s most familiar urban problems — monkeys — from disrupting the competition.
The solution? Trained professionals who can imitate the calls and sounds of langurs.
A video showing one such performer demonstrating the technique quickly attracted attention online, including from Indian badminton star PV Sindhu. Rather than dismissing the unusual arrangement, Sindhu appreciated the effort being made behind the scenes to ensure the tournament runs without interruptions.
Her reaction captured the larger story: sometimes, preparing a world-class sporting event involves solving problems that have little to do with the sport itself.
The ‘monkey whisperers’ behind the scenes
The organisers have brought in people skilled at reproducing langur calls to discourage rhesus macaques from entering the stadium premises.
The method is based on a simple behavioural response. Rhesus macaques are known to be wary of langurs, which are larger primates and are perceived as a potential threat.
Instead of using live langurs, trained human mimics can reproduce their sounds and movements to create the impression that the larger animals are nearby.
The approach is also intended to be non-harmful, with the objective being to keep the monkeys away rather than capture or injure them.
According to reports, four mimicry artists have been engaged for the World Championships.
India Open disruption led to tighter preparations
The unusual security measure did not appear out of nowhere.
During the India Open earlier this year, a monkey was spotted inside the stadium, creating an awkward interruption during an international badminton event.
The incident highlighted a problem that is particularly familiar in Delhi, where rhesus macaques frequently enter public and institutional spaces.
For organisers preparing to host the World Championships, the previous disruption became a lesson: every possible source of interruption needed to be addressed before the world’s leading shuttlers arrived.
This time, the preparations have gone beyond simply dealing with monkeys.
Pigeons also on the organisers’ radar
Monkeys are not the only unwanted visitors that have required attention.
Pigeons had also caused problems during the India Open, including incidents where matches were affected after birds fouled the playing surface.
To reduce the chances of a repeat, organisers have reportedly used non-toxic deterrent gel around parts of the stadium’s roof and ducts to discourage pigeons from settling there.
The aim is straightforward — keep the playing environment clean, safe and distraction-free throughout the championships.
Why Sindhu’s reaction matters
Sindhu’s response adds a lighter human-interest dimension to what is otherwise a serious logistical exercise.
For a tournament of this scale, spectators usually notice the court, lighting, broadcast production and athletes. They rarely see the less glamorous work happening outside the spotlight.
The viral video has therefore offered an unusual glimpse into the preparations required to stage an international sporting event in a city with its own unique challenges.
Sindhu’s appreciation of the effort underlines that perspective: the solution may look funny on social media, but the responsibility behind it is very real.
PV Sindhu: The record behind the name
While the viral moment is light-hearted, Sindhu remains one of the most decorated athletes in Indian badminton.
Key career records:
2016 Rio Olympics: Silver medal in women’s singles
2020 Tokyo Olympics: Bronze medal
2019 BWF World Championships: Gold medal
2013 and 2014 World Championships: Bronze medals
2017 and 2018 World Championships: Silver medals
Became the first Indian to win a BWF World Championships gold medal in 2019
Two-time Olympic medallist
Sindhu’s 2019 World Championships triumph came in Basel, where she defeated Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in the final.
The bigger picture: India wants a smooth global showcase
The 2026 World Championships represent a major opportunity for Indian badminton and for the country as a host of international sporting events.
The tournament will bring together the world’s leading players, while India will be under scrutiny not only for performances on court but also for the quality of its organisation.
The organisers have therefore acted on problems identified during the India Open and made improvements to the venue. BAI secretary general Sanjay Mishra said the issues experienced earlier had been addressed and that the BWF was satisfied with the arrangements.
From badminton courts to monkey deterrents and pigeon control, the preparation has covered every possible detail.
Main Matter
The viral langur-mimicry video may have started as an amusing piece of content, but it highlights something important about hosting a major sporting event: successful tournaments are often decided by the problems spectators never see.
For PV Sindhu, the unusual preparation was worth appreciating. For the organisers, it is another precaution in the effort to ensure that when the World Championships begin on August 17, the only drama inside the stadium comes from the badminton court.
Event Snapshot
Event: BWF World Championships 2026
Venue: Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
Start Date: August 17, 2026
Key preparation: Langur-call mimics deployed to deter rhesus macaques
Additional measure: Non-toxic deterrent gel used to discourage pigeons
Trigger: Previous animal-related disruptions during the India Open
Indian star: PV Sindhu
Sindhu’s World Championships record: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
Olympic record: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
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