PV Sindhu Shares Experience of Being Stranded in Dubai Ahead of All England Open

Sindhu's Ordeal in Dubai

New Delhi - Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu recently opened up about her distressing experience of being stranded in Dubai while en route to the UK for the All England Open. Although she expressed disappointment over missing the tournament, she emphasized that her safety was her top priority.

Sindhu was scheduled to compete in the All England Open in Birmingham, which was set to commence on Tuesday. However, her travel plans were disrupted due to escalating tensions in West Asia, following coordinated military actions by Israel and the United States against Iranian sites. This situation led to retaliatory strikes from Iran and subsequent airspace closures in multiple countries, including Iran and Iraq, affecting major international flight routes.

During a press conference organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Sindhu recounted her arrival in Dubai on February 28, only to discover that all flights had been suspended shortly after her landing.

"I arrived at 1 PM, and by 1:15 PM, all flights were grounded. We were left in the dark about the situation, as we were told to wait for updates. Eventually, we learned that the airspace was closed, which was quite stressful," she shared.

She noted that had she departed just a few hours earlier, she would have reached Birmingham alongside her fellow Indian players, describing the entire situation as "unfortunate."

Sindhu explained that while there was uncertainty regarding the reopening of airspace, those stranded were eventually taken to a transit hotel. However, the process was slow due to the high volume of passengers from various terminals whose flights had been canceled.

"It was chaotic. After some time, we received hotel vouchers, but we were not allowed to leave the airport due to the crowd. Eventually, we were escorted to the hotel. My coach, who was still at the airport, informed me about a loud noise that could have been an explosion or debris, which caused panic among those present," she recounted.

"It was frightening to hear such a loud sound so close. We managed to reach the hotel after a long wait," she added.

The badminton champion mentioned that she was keeping up with the news and receiving emergency alerts on her phone, advising everyone to stay indoors and away from windows.

"It was terrifying. Each day brought news of continued airspace closures. While I was missing my tournament, my safety was paramount. I tried every possible way to reach the All England, but it was beyond my control. Sadly, I missed the event, but safety comes first," she stated.

Sindhu expressed gratitude towards the Indian Consulate in Dubai for their assistance in securing accommodations for stranded Indians.

"The government was very supportive. I received calls from the sports minister, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Civil Aviation Minister, all checking on my well-being. The Badminton Association of India also stayed in touch, and many from the media reached out to ensure I was safe," she noted.

She also mentioned that Emirates Airlines contacted them to gather necessary details for arranging their return flights.

"I must commend the Indian Consulate General in Dubai for their excellent coordination. Thanks to the government, many Indians, including myself, were safely evacuated," she added.

Regarding potential penalties for missing the tournament, Sindhu informed that she had communicated her situation to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which was understanding of her circumstances.

"From the beginning, I kept BWF updated about my situation and my efforts to leave. They were sympathetic and sought as much information as possible, especially since other players from Japan were also affected but managed to find alternative routes," she explained.

Sindhu expressed her eagerness to participate in the Swiss Open starting March 10, although she noted that most flights were currently fully booked.

"Flights are at capacity, and everything routes through Dubai. I'm exploring every option to reach Switzerland. However, the ongoing conflict complicates matters. I hope for the best, but the situation is out of my hands. I aim to represent my country, and I hope this is my first and last experience of this kind," she concluded.