P V Sindhu’s coach, Irwansyah Adi Pratama, narrowly avoided danger after an explosion disrupted travel plans at Dubai Airport, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Irwansyah, who coaches two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu, was caught in the chaos while en route to the All England Championships in Birmingham. Flights at Dubai Airport were halted after a missile attack that also affected Abu Dhabi, with all passengers being relocated to hotels.
Despite the nerve-wracking situation, Irwansyah and Sindhu remain focused on reaching Birmingham in time for Sindhu’s match on Wednesday. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is actively monitoring the situation, prioritizing the safety of athletes and coordinating with teams and players affected by the travel disruptions.
Most Indian players, including top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have already arrived in Birmingham. However, some, like Unnati Hooda, face delays due to flight cancellations. Unnati’s plans were suddenly disrupted, leaving her without an immediate alternative route.
Meanwhile, the ongoing geopolitical tensions led the United States and Israel to launch a major offensive on Iran, causing widespread airspace restrictions and airline cancellations. Dubai Airport remains closed indefinitely, with airlines like Air India suspending operations to several Gulf destinations. The situation continues to evolve, impacting travel plans globally.