The past days turned into a nightmare for PV Sindhu, the Indian badminton legend, as she found herself stranded in Dubai en route to England due to flight cancellations amidst the Middle East crisis. Sindhu, aiming for the All-England badminton championship in Birmingham, had to withdraw from the event and return home to India for safety reasons.
Despite exploring various travel options, including a 24-hour journey with multiple stops, Sindhu couldn’t make it to Birmingham in time for the championship. Now back in Hyderabad, her main concern is the impact of this withdrawal on her BWF World Rankings and her upcoming participation in the Swiss Open in Basel from March 10 to 15.
Sindhu faces uncertainty regarding the penalty for missing a major tournament, with the BWF yet to decide on the ranking implications. She awaits the BWF’s decision and plans to engage with them as a member of the Athletes Commission to address this unprecedented situation.
The badminton star described her experience as the most challenging ordeal, having been in constant communication with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) since her arrival in Dubai on February 28. The airport closure and flight suspensions added to the stress, with Sindhu’s coach even witnessing an explosion nearby, causing further alarm.
Grateful for the support received from the Indian government and the Indian Consulate in Dubai, Sindhu emphasized the importance of safety amid the crisis. While disappointed about missing the All-England championship, she acknowledged that prioritizing safety was paramount in such uncertain circumstances.
