The Indian men’s national basketball team captain, Gurbaz Sandhu, shared the team’s experience in Doha, Qatar, where they are currently stranded due to the West Asia crisis. Sandhu mentioned that they heard missile interceptions over Doha but assured that they are safe in their hotel, well taken care of by officials and authorities.
The team traveled to Doha for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers but got stuck due to airspace disruptions caused by the US-Israel attack on Iran. Sandhu praised the Qatar Federation, BFI, and the embassy for arranging accommodation in the same hotel where they were staying for the matches, ensuring no issues with lodging.
Sandhu highlighted the team’s safety measures, stating that they are staying indoors with strong security arrangements at the hotel. While they can sense ongoing interceptions in the area, there have been no reported casualties or incidents near their accommodation, ensuring the safety of all players and staff.
The Indian team’s original return plan on March 4 was disrupted by the closed airspace, leading officials to reevaluate travel arrangements. Sandhu mentioned that the Indian embassy representatives are in touch with authorities, monitoring the situation closely, and exploring alternative travel routes for the team’s return to India.
The disruption has also impacted the team’s competitive schedule, with qualifiers matches postponed due to the security situation. However, FIBA plans to communicate the revised schedule to all teams and conduct the matches before the next window begins, ensuring fair play for all participants.
