The shadows of Middle East conflict have cast a pall over PV Sindhu’s preparations for the All England Badminton Championships, stranding her at Dubai International Airport. The double Olympic medal winner was bound for Birmingham when all flights ground to a halt Saturday due to Iran-US-Israel escalations.
In a candid Instagram story, Sindhu showcased the terminal turmoil—hordes of stranded flyers hanging on official announcements. ‘All flights suspended until further notice,’ her caption warned, encapsulating the uncertainty gripping UAE airspace.
BAI sources noted Sindhu’s determination to travel early that morning, diverging from other players’ schedules. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s men’s doubles team is already on site at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena for the March 3-8 showdown. Efforts with Emirates are underway to reroute the shuttler swiftly.
Rooted in recent US-Israel airstrikes on Iranian assets, the crisis intensified with Tehran’s threats to target vessels in strategic waterways like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Dubai’s operational freeze has amplified cancellations across Gulf transit routes vital for India-bound Europe and Africa travel.
Sindhu, world No. 1 alumna and All England veteran, embodies Indian badminton’s pinnacle. This unforeseen hitch amid global tensions serves as a stark reminder of sports’ intersection with world affairs. As resolutions loom, her fans hold breath for the moment she steps onto British soil, racket in hand.