India’s two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has withdrawn from the All England Open Badminton Championships following a frightening incident at Dubai International Airport that disrupted her journey to Birmingham.
Sindhu was transiting through Dubai on Sunday when she reported being caught in a chaotic situation involving a nearby explosion. The unexpected development led to flight disruptions and left her stranded, ultimately ruling her out of one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
In a message shared on social media, Sindhu described the tense atmosphere at the airport. She said there was confusion and panic following the explosion, with smoke visible in the area. According to her account, her coach acted quickly to move away from the affected zone as security measures intensified. She described the experience as extremely tense and frightening for everyone involved.
The incident came amid broader regional instability that resulted in flight cancellations and rerouting across parts of the Middle East. Heightened security concerns significantly affected travel schedules, leaving Sindhu unable to continue her journey to England, where she had been scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the opening round.
Despite the ordeal, Sindhu confirmed that she and her team were safe. She expressed gratitude to airport authorities and staff in Dubai for their assistance during the disruption. She also thanked the Indian High Commission in Dubai for its support throughout the situation.
By Tuesday, Sindhu had safely returned to Bengaluru. While her withdrawal is a setback for both the player and the tournament, her safety remains the priority. The badminton community will now look ahead to her return to competition once travel and preparations resume under more stable conditions.
