Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu has safely returned to Bengaluru after being stranded in Dubai due to the sudden closure of airspace in the Gulf region following escalating tensions in West Asia.
The Indian badminton star had been travelling to Birmingham to compete in the All England Championships when the disruption forced her to halt her journey and eventually withdraw from the prestigious tournament.
Sindhu confirmed her safe return through a post on social media platform X, expressing relief after what she described as a stressful and uncertain few days.
“I’m back home in Bangalore and safe. The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but I’m truly grateful to be back in my house,” she wrote.
Stranded amid rising conflict
Flight operations across parts of the Gulf region were suspended after United States and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which led to retaliatory actions and heightened security concerns.
The sudden closure of airspace left several international travellers stranded, including Sindhu and members of her support team.
Earlier, the former world champion had described the situation as extremely tense, revealing that an explosion occurred near the place where she was staying in Dubai.
“Moments like these remind you how fragile normal life really is,” she had shared during the ordeal.
Gratitude for support and assistance
Sindhu expressed heartfelt appreciation to authorities and airport staff in Dubai who ensured the safety and comfort of stranded passengers.
She thanked the Dubai authorities, airport ground teams, immigration officials, and support staff who helped travellers navigate the difficult situation.
“The empathy and professionalism meant more than words can say,” she wrote.
Her Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, who was travelling with her, also experienced the disruption as the team waited for clarity on travel arrangements.
Time to rest and reset
With her return to Bengaluru, Sindhu said she plans to take time to rest and reassess her next steps after the unexpected interruption to her tournament schedule.
“For now, it’s time to rest, reset, and figure out the next steps,” she added.
The All England Championships remain one of badminton’s most prestigious tournaments, making her withdrawal an unfortunate setback. However, fans have expressed relief that the star athlete and her team returned safely amid the ongoing regional tensions.