"If a Monkey Comes, Give Him a Banana": Himanta Biswa Sarma Shrugs Off India Open Venue Controversy

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the president of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), has made a nonchalant remark in relation to the current situation of Indian badminton. Sarma was found passing comments during an Indian Express event, Express Adda, on the pathetic conditions during the India Open earlier this year.

"What is the problem with dogs and monkeys coming? If a monkey comes to watch a game, what is the problem with it?... If I were there, I would have said, Bandar aaya tha to kela do! (If a monkey comes, give him a banana)," The Assamese CM said.

Sarma also addressed the complaints about bird droppings and the monkey spotted during the India Open badminton tournament. He said such incidents should be acknowledged openly, adding that the presence of monkeys at sporting events in Delhi is a reality that organisers and stakeholders must accept while deciding whether to host tournaments in the city.

'Little Overreactions': BAI Chief Responds to Hygiene Concerns Raised by Overseas Players

When questioned about complaints from a Danish player regarding bird droppings falling onto the court during the India Open, Himanta Biswa Sarma described the concerns as "little overreactions." He explained that neither the Badminton Association of India (BAI) nor the Delhi government could remove monkeys from the venue, adding that play must be halted whenever one enters the court in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines.

Sarma was also asked why the BAI had initially dismissed images of the monkey at the venue as AI-generated by releasing a video. Distancing himself from that response, he said he was not responsible for the association's handling of the issue. He added that, had he been present, he would simply have offered the monkey a banana himself rather than making such a claim.

Mia Blichfeldt & Kang Min Hyuk Slam Training Conditions at India Open

During the opening day of this year's India Open in Delhi, Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt voiced concerns over the condition of the practice venue, describing the environment as unhygienic. She highlighted the presence of pigeons inside the arena and bird droppings on the courts while speaking to reporters.

"The floors are dirty, and there is a lot of dirt on the courts. Also, birds are flying in the arena; there is bird poop also," the Danish shuttler wrote in an Instagram post. The issue gained further attention later in the tournament after a monkey was spotted inside the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, the venue for the India Open Super 750.

Meanwhile, Photographer Azlynna Dewi shared three Instagram stories showing the animal in the stands near the players' training area, while a security official confirmed that the monkey remained inside the arena for nearly 10 minutes during a match.

A separate incident was highlighted by South Korean men's doubles player Kang Min Hyuk, who shared a video of another monkey roaming the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, the designated practice venue for the tournament. Reacting to the sight, he captioned the post: "Are animals (given) free admission?"

What Did BAI Say On Sarma's Statement?

With India set to host the BWF World Championships in August at the same venue, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) moved quickly to address the criticism surrounding the India Open. In an official statement, the governing body stressed that preparations were already underway to enhance the facilities ahead of the marquee event.

BAI's official statement said-

"The Indira Gandhi Sports Complex represents a significant upgrade from the KD Jadhav Stadium, and a comprehensive review of all tournament facilities and operational processes is currently underway. The findings from this review will guide further improvements as we prepare to host the BWF World Championships 2026 at the same venue in August."

The BAI also clarified that Mia Blichfeldt's remarks were directed at the KD Jadhav Stadium, which served as the training venue, and not the main competition arena at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.

The Danish shuttler's comments marked the second straight year that she had publicly raised concerns about conditions at India's premier BWF tournament. Despite the recurring nature of the complaints, the issues highlighted by players were later downplayed by BAI honorary president Himanta Biswa Sarma, who described them as "little overreactions."