Organisers of the ongoing India Open badminton tournament faced fresh embarrassment on Wednesday after a monkey was seen inside the spectator gallery at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The incident, which quickly drew attention from fans and social media users, added to a growing list of concerns surrounding the tournament’s playing environment.
While the animal’s presence surprised spectators, officials confirmed that no match or training session was disrupted. The organisers described the episode as “unfortunate” and moved swiftly to prevent any repeat.
Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary Sanjay Mishra said this was the first such incident during the tournament, noting that staff had been working continuously at the venue for nearly three weeks. He suggested the monkey may have entered after a door was accidentally left open and assured that stricter checks were being put in place.
“The stadium is surrounded by greenery, which is part of the natural environment. We are ensuring that all doors remain securely closed and are coordinating with the authorities to maintain a safe and controlled atmosphere,” Mishra said.
The issue gained further traction after photographs of the monkey inside the stadium were shared on Instagram by a photographer. Concerns deepened later when Korean men’s doubles player Kang Min Hyuk posted a video showing a monkey inside the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, which is being used as the tournament’s official training venue.
The incident comes amid ongoing criticism of the venue’s conditions. Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt earlier described the surroundings of the stadium complex as “unhealthy,” while world No. 2 Anders Antonsen revealed that Delhi’s severe pollution was the reason behind his decision to skip the India Open for the third consecutive year.
BAI officials, however, have rejected claims that conditions are unsafe, arguing that assessments from players outside India do not reflect the actual situation on the ground. Despite reassurances, the monkey sighting has once again put the spotlight on venue management and raised questions about whether organisers can ensure optimal conditions for players at one of India’s premier badminton events.
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