Monkey Causes Stir at India Open, Roams Stands Amid Tournament

New Delhi: The India Open Badminton Tournament witnessed an unusual visitor as a monkey was spotted roaming the stands during the event at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when spectator attendance was low. The monkey quietly observed a few matches before leaving the indoor hall. Interestingly, it had also been seen earlier near the practice courts, leaving players both surprised and amused.

Monkey Roams the Stadium
The incident took place on 14 January during the India Open World Tour 750 event. The main stadium at the complex, with a capacity of 8,000 spectators, was relatively empty—likely due to it being a weekday, ticket prices of ₹400, and limited parking. Amid this quiet setting, an unexpected guest made its way into the upper sections of the stadium.

Although stray dogs are commonly seen around the complex, barricades are usually installed to keep animals away from the playing area. Despite these measures, the monkey, along with some pigeons, managed to breach security and enter the venue. It watched the morning session silently for several minutes before exiting. The same monkey was also spotted at the KD Jadhav Stadium practice courts, observing the Korean team’s practice session for a brief period.

Players React with Humor
The monkey caused no disruption, unlike incidents at other venues in recent months involving pigeons or dogs. However, some players joked about the unusual visitor. Former men’s doubles world champion Kang Min-hyuk shared a video of the monkey on his Instagram story, humorously asking, “Is entry free for animals?”

While the appearance of the monkey provided a light-hearted moment during the tournament, it also raised questions about security measures. Players seemed entertained, but organizers may now have to consider stricter precautions to prevent similar incidents in the future. The monkey left without causing any disturbance, yet its presence certainly captured everyone’s attention.