New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi has received a fresh coat of paint, new infrastructure, and swanky lights ahead of the BWF World Championships, which return to India after a 17-year gap. The objective is to host the best in world badminton, administrators from around the planet, thousands of fans and multiple VIPs starting August 17. The objective is also to ensure the pigeons and monkeys stay away, avoiding a repeat of the chaos at the India Open, earlier this year.In January, during the India Open, pigeons halted play in the match between HS Prannoy and Loh Kean Yew. Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt strongly criticised the practice and warm-up facility’s hygiene. She complained about dirty areas and bird droppings near the training courts.While the Badminton Association of India (BAI) refuted the allegations, they and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), alongside the Sports Ministry, are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring something similar doesn’t happen again.Wooden doors have given way to a double-door entry system in order to keep the monkeys away from entering the four-court premises and the training facilities at the KD Jadhav Stadium. Vents have been sealed to keep the pigeons from entering. Additionally, six plug-and-play machines have been imported from the US and installed to emit noise made by predatory birds. Further, non-toxic gel has also been filled in the roof ducts.The wheels for the preparations began as early as February, with things picking up pace in May. Hundreds of workers and contractors from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) have been busy at work for the past few weeks to bring the tournament to fruition.
Machines from the US have been brought in to tackle pigeons during the BWF World Championships in New Delhi. (Image: TimesofIndia.com)
“The order for the pigeon gel went out in April, and it was imported only recently; it arrives in 10 days. It is a plug-and-play machine and can be imported from one stadium to another,” said a source tracking developments to TimesofIndia.com.“The only hiccup is that it can’t be used at one place for a long period. The pigeons get accustomed to it and understand that this is not natural. But in the last 15-20 days of tests, it has worked well,” he added.The gel in use is castor oil-based and has been installed on the surface of the root at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Every time a bird sits on the top of the arena, it’ll slip, ensuring they stay away.
Glass doors have been installed at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi as part of the infrastructural overhaul. (Image: TimesofIndia.com)
Another challenge for the organisers in the past has been monkeys. A full-grown rhesus macaque roamed the upper tier of the stands during the India Open. Now, as part of a Rs 20 crore revamp, 16 entrances have been fitted with glass doors and an automatic double-entry system.And if all else fails, a four-man team, led by Delhi-native Jabbar, is on hand to make noises similar to that of a langur to fend off monkeys. Born into a family of professional monkey whisperers, Jabbar, who earns Rs 25,000 a month, is confident that his and his team’s vocal cords will be enough to keep monkeys at bay.
