Rs 20cr revamp for Delhi World C'ships: Double-door entries and monkey whisperers

The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi is undergoing a Rs 20 crore makeover ahead of the BWF World Championships, set to take place beginning August 17. The revamped stadium will boast double-door entries to deter monkeys and improved infrastructure to host world-class badminton athletes, thousands of spectators, and several VIPs. The authorities are also working diligently to prevent any recurrence of the chaos experienced during the India Open earlier this year.

In January, pigeon droppings and dirty areas near the training courts led to the match between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew being halted. Danish player Mia Blichfeldt strongly criticized the hygiene of the warm-up facility. Despite the Badminton Association of India (BAI) dismissing the allegations, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Sports Ministry are taking no chances.

To keep monkeys away, wooden doors have been replaced with double-door entries, vents sealed, and six noise-emitting machines imported from the US. Additionally, non-toxic gel made from castor oil has been installed on the roof ducts to deter pigeons. However, this gel must be changed periodically, as birds eventually adapt to it.

Another challenge for organizers has been the monkeys. A rhesus macaque once roamed the upper tier of the stadium stands during the India Open. Part of the Rs 20 crore revamp includes installing glass doors and automatic double-entry systems at 16 entrances. If these measures prove insufficient, a four-man team, led by Jabbar, a native of Delhi and a professional monkey whisperer, stands ready to emit monkey-like noises to keep the creatures at bay.