Now Reading: SAI and BAI overhaul Delhi stadium to stop pigeons and monkeys at Worlds
-
01
SAI and BAI overhaul Delhi stadium to stop pigeons and monkeys at Worlds
New Delhi: The Badminton Association of India and Sports Authority of India have completed a six-month upgrade of the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium to prevent a repeat of the simian and avian…
The Story in Brief
New Delhi: The Badminton Association of India and Sports Authority of India have completed a six-month upgrade of the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium to prevent a repeat of the simian and avian invasions that marred the India Open earlier this year. Automatic glass double doors block entry to the main arena, while non-toxic gel, sound-frequency machines at night, and three men mimicking langurs aim to keep the animals away from the courts.
Other changes include a waterproofed roof, replaced seating, new wooden flooring, and improved lighting. BAI general secretary Sanjay Mishra said no complaints on any front would count as success, besides medals for Indian players. The World Championships, returning to India after 17 years, run from August 17 to 23.
The Indian Opinion
The elaborate langur-mimicry artists hired to scare away monkeys show Indian organisers resorting to low-tech fixes for high-profile embarrassments. P.V. Sindhu found it lovable, but foreign fans may see it differently when the cameras catch them. The real test is not the stunts but the basics: will the roof leak, will the lights flicker, will tickets scan smoothly. If those fail, one sound machine cannot muffle the criticism.
Sources (2): thehindu.com, thehindu.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
