PV Sindhu Stranded in Dubai Amid West Asia Conflict; Aims for Swiss Open After Missing All England Competition
New Delhi, March 4 — Indian badminton star PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, has expressed her disappointment over being stranded in Dubai while en route to the UK for the All England Open. The situation arose due to escalating tensions in West Asia, following coordinated military strikes by Israel and the United States on Iranian military and nuclear-linked sites. This conflict led to retaliatory actions from Iran and subsequent airspace closures in several countries, including Iran and Iraq, disrupting vital international air routes.
Flight Suspension and Safety Concerns
Sindhu was scheduled to compete in the All England Open in Birmingham, which begins on Tuesday. However, upon landing in Dubai on February 28, she discovered that all flights had been suspended and the airspace was closed. She recounted the stressful moments at the airport, stating that she landed at 1 PM, only to learn shortly thereafter that flights were grounded.
She noted, “I was supposed to go to All England, but unfortunately, when I landed, all flights were suspended. We did not know what the situation was going to be because they told us to wait for some time, and then they said the flight was delayed.”
Colleagues Departing Amid Chaos
Sindhu highlighted the chaos at the airport, mentioning that several of her colleagues, including doubles and singles players, managed to leave Dubai just hours before her arrival. They successfully reached Birmingham around 11:45 PM, while she remained stranded.
She described the ordeal as “unfortunate,” emphasizing that had she departed a few hours earlier, she would have arrived in Birmingham alongside her fellow Indian players.
Stranded and Seeking Shelter
As uncertainty loomed over the reopening of airspace, Sindhu and others were eventually taken to a transit hotel. However, the process was lengthy due to the high volume of stranded passengers from various terminals. She explained, “It was chaos. It took some time. But finally, we got our vouchers to the hotel. People were not allowed to go outside the airport because it was so crowded.”
Sindhu’s coach, who was still at the airport, informed her of a loud noise that caused panic among passengers. She recalled, “There was a big sound, and we did not know if it was an explosion, debris, or a drone. It was terrifying.”
Emergency Alerts and Ongoing Tensions
The badminton champion kept herself updated with the news and received emergency alerts advising everyone to stay indoors and avoid windows. She stated, “It was terrifying. Every day, they kept saying the airspace is shut today, the airspace is shut tomorrow. I was missing my tournament, but safety was important.”
Despite her efforts to reach the All England Open, she ultimately missed the tournament, reiterating that safety took precedence.
Support from Authorities
Sindhu acknowledged the assistance provided by the Indian Consulate in Dubai, which helped stranded Indians with accommodation. She received calls from various officials, including the Sports Minister, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Civil Aviation Minister, all inquiring about her well-being.
She expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “I must say, hats off to the Indian Consulate General in Dubai. Our government coordinated very well, and I think we got a lot of Indians, including me, out from that place, and we are safe.”
Communication with the Badminton World Federation
Regarding potential penalties for missing the tournament, Sindhu communicated with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which understood her situation. She reported, “From day one, I was updating BWF that this is my situation, and I have been trying my best to get out of there.”
The BWF acknowledged her circumstances and sought information about the situation, as other players from Japan were also affected.
Looking Ahead to the Swiss Open
Sindhu is now focused on the upcoming Swiss Open, scheduled to begin on March 10. However, she noted that securing a flight remains challenging due to high demand. “Flights are full, and everything is via Dubai. I am trying every other way to go to Switzerland, but the war is still ongoing, and it is a sensitive matter,” she said.
She remains hopeful for a resolution, stating, “Nothing is in my hands right now, and I am trying to go out there and play for my country. Hoping this is my first and last such experience.”
As reported by www.latestly.com.
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Published on 2026-03-04 04:10:00 • By Editorial Desk
