PV Sindhu Returns Home Safe: Badminton Star Rescued from Dubai Amid Middle East War
Olympic medallist PV Sindhu expresses gratitude after a safe return to Bengaluru following disruptions in Dubai due to regional conflict.
Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has returned home after being stranded in Dubai amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The two-time Olympic medallist confirmed her safe arrival in Bengaluru through a social media post, describing the past few days as “intense and uncertain” and thanking authorities and ground staff for their assistance.
Sindhu, along with her support team, including Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, was caught in Dubai as regional hostilities disrupted air travel. According to reports, the group had a narrow escape after an explosion occurred near their place of stay. They were later moved to a secure location, but continued airspace closures prevented onwards travel.
The disruption has forced Sindhu to withdraw from the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships, where she was scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the opening round. With Dubai airport operations suspended and uncertainty surrounding flight schedules, the Indian shuttler had little option but to pull out of the tournament.
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In her post on X, Sindhu expressed gratitude to Dubai authorities, airport staff, immigration officials and support teams who assisted her during the crisis. “Back home in Bangalore and safe… For now, it’s time to rest, reset, and figure out the next steps,” she wrote, signalling a brief pause before returning to competitive action.
Former India coach Vimal Kumar told PTI that Sindhu was deeply disappointed at missing the event, especially as she had been in good form heading into the tournament. He revealed that she had briefly considered travelling by road to Oman to catch a connecting flight but ultimately dropped the idea due to safety concerns.
Kumar added that while the setback was unfortunate, Sindhu’s focus would now shift to upcoming major tournaments, including potential Super 1000 events and the World Championships later this year. With her safe return confirmed, attention will turn to her recovery and preparation as she aims to regain momentum after the unexpected disruption to her season.
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