Innovative Measures to Keep Monkeys Away at BWF World Championships
Preparations for the BWF World Championships
In anticipation of the BWF World Championships, the event organizers have taken a unique approach by hiring professional mimicry artists to replicate langur calls, aiming to deter monkeys from the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
Scheduled from August 17 to 23, this prestigious badminton tournament will see participation from approximately 300 athletes representing 50 nations. This marks the second time India has hosted the event, previously held in Hyderabad in 2009.
Indian Players Ready to Compete
A contingent of 16 Indian players, including the 2019 World Champion PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, and the doubles teams of Chirag Shetty with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, as well as Gayathri Gopichand and Tereesa Jolly, are set to represent the host nation across all five competitive categories.
Unique Strategy to Deter Monkeys
As India gears up for this significant badminton event after 17 years, organizers have implemented additional measures to address an unusual challenge: monkeys disrupting the competition at the venue.
To mitigate this issue, three professional 'monkey whisperers' have been engaged to mimic langur calls, effectively scaring away rhesus monkeys. A viral video showcases one of these individuals demonstrating his impressive ability to imitate loud langur sounds, which could help keep the monkeys at bay.
Their primary responsibility is to identify any monkeys within the stadium and use their vocal skills to ensure they are driven away before they can interfere with the matches.
Response to Previous Incidents
This decision was made following incidents during the India Open earlier this year, where monkeys entered the stadium, prompting the need for enhanced preventive measures ahead of the World Championships.
With the India Open also facing criticism for inadequate training facilities and pollution in New Delhi, authorities are under increased pressure to ensure high standards for the upcoming global event.
PV Sindhu's Reaction
PV Sindhu, the Indian badminton star and former World Champion, expressed her thoughts on the viral video of the mimicry artists, praising the innovative security measure on her official social media account.
She stated, 'You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort. So many people are working behind the scenes to make sure India is ready to welcome the world.'
Sindhu emphasized the unique Indian spirit and hospitality, expressing excitement for the badminton world to experience the event in Delhi.
India's Legacy in Badminton
At the previous World Badminton Championships, India secured a total of 15 medals, including one gold, four silver, and ten bronze. The current team is eager to build on this legacy on home soil, especially after not winning any medals in 2009 despite a strong local presence.