Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has voiced support for the Badminton Association of India (BAI)'s unconventional plan to deploy 'monkey whisperers' at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex in New Delhi ahead of the BWF World Championship 2026, scheduled from 17 to 23 August. The move, which has drawn widespread ridicule on social media, involves hiring three experts to imitate langur calls in order to drive away rhesus macaques from the tournament venue.

The Monkey Menace at Indira Gandhi Stadium

The simian problem at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium is not new. During the India Open badminton tournament in New Delhi last year, rhesus macaques gatecrashed the designated training area, disrupting matches and reportedly unsettling players. With the world's top shuttlers set to descend on the capital, the BAI has decided against leaving anything to chance.

The chosen solution draws on a long-standing practice used across New Delhi's central government offices and official installations: deploying langur calls to deter rhesus macaques. Rhesus macaques are known to flee areas where langurs — a larger, more dominant primate — are present or perceived to be nearby. The three hired experts will imitate these calls to keep the venue clear during competition days.

Sindhu Defends the Effort

While social media users mocked the 'monkey whisperer' strategy, former world champion PV Sindhu offered a warm defence of the organisers. In a post on social media, she wrote: '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. Our solutions may be uniquely Indian, but so are our warmth, our spirit and our hospitality.'

Sindhu added: 'Can't wait for the badminton world to experience it all in Delhi. See you soon!' Her remarks reframed the conversation — from a quirky logistical fix to a broader point about Indian ingenuity and hospitality ahead of a major global sporting event.

BAI Under Scrutiny Ahead of World Championships

The monkey management plan is not the only issue drawing attention to the BAI's preparations. According to reports, the association has faced criticism over several organisational aspects of the event. The BWF World Championship 2026 represents one of the most high-profile international badminton events to be hosted in India in recent years, making the stakes for a smooth execution particularly high.

Notably, this is not the first time Indian sporting venues have grappled with wildlife intrusions. Similar incidents have been reported at cricket and tennis venues across the country, making the issue a recurring — if embarrassing — footnote in India's major sporting calendar.

What to Expect at BWF World Championship 2026

The BWF World Championship 2026 runs from 17 August to 23 August at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex, New Delhi. The tournament will feature the world's top-ranked players across all five disciplines. PV Sindhu, a two-time world champion, is among India's primary medal hopes. As the host nation, India will be under the spotlight both on and off the court — and how the 'monkey whisperer' strategy plays out may well become one of the tournament's more memorable subplots.