Indian organisers of the Badminton World Championships have taken an unconventional approach by hiring three men trained to mimic langur calls, aiming to deter monkeys from disrupting the tournament. This decision follows a notable incident at the India Open earlier this year, where a monkey appeared in the stands, causing embarrassment for the organisers.

The venue for the BWF World Championships 2026, set to begin on 17 August at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi, has undergone significant changes to prevent animal intrusions. Key measures include:

• Covering ventilator openings and sealing broken windows
• Installing double doors at all 16 entrances to the inner hall
• Applying anti-pest gel to air-conditioning pipes to stop pigeons from roosting
• Deploying a US-made device that emits sounds to repel birds

One of the langur mimics, Jabbar, shared insights about their role, stating, "When we make these calls, monkeys just run away." He emphasized the importance of timing their calls to ensure safety for both monkeys and people.

This practice is rooted in tradition, as trained grey langurs were historically used to deter monkeys in public spaces. However, due to legal restrictions on keeping them, mimicking has become a viable alternative. Zafar, another mimic, confirmed the effectiveness of this method, noting, "Monkeys are absolutely terrified of langurs."

PV Sindhu, a star Indian badminton player, praised the innovative solution, expressing pride in the efforts made to prepare for the event. Meanwhile, Sanjay Mishra, general secretary of the Badminton Association of India, announced lighting upgrades and extensive renovations, including improvements to seating and restroom facilities.

As India prepares to host the prestigious tournament for the second time, the spotlight is on top players like Shi Yu Qi, Akane Yamaguchi, and homegrown talents such as Lakshya Sen and the doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.