Now Reading: India upgrades stadium to avoid pigeon, monkey chaos at World Championships
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India upgrades stadium to avoid pigeon, monkey chaos at World Championships
India upgrades stadium to avoid pigeon, monkey chaos at World Championships
The Hindu reports that the Badminton Association of India and the Sports Authority of India have spent six months upgrading the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium after pigeons and monkeys disrupted the India…
The Story in Brief
The Hindu reports that the Badminton Association of India and the Sports Authority of India have spent six months upgrading the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium after pigeons and monkeys disrupted the India Open earlier this year. The venue for the BWF World Championships, returning after 17 years, now has automatic glass doors, non-toxic gel to keep pigeons away, sound machines to repel birds at night, and three men employed to mimic langurs. The roof has been waterproofed, chairs replaced, and lighting improved to eliminate shadows on new wooden courts. A recent spell of rain helped officials plug remaining leaks.
SAI executive director Ambar Pratap Singh said work began in February. BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra confirmed that the Badminton World Federation is satisfied with the lighting. The championships will be held from August 17 to 23.
The Indian Opinion
The narrative that India cannot host international tournaments without embarrassment was fuelled by the India Open fiasco. But this time, officials have shown they can learn from mistakes. The range of remedies, from structural repairs to langur impersonators, suggests genuine effort. Still, the real test will come during the championships: if a pigeon or monkey enters the arena again, all this work will count for nothing. Will the new measures hold up under the glare of the world?
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
