Mumbai, March 3 (NationPress) The past few days have felt like a waking nightmare for Indian badminton star PV Sindhu, as the two-time Olympic champion found herself trapped in Dubai while attempting to travel to England. Her journey was derailed due to flight cancellations arising from the ongoing Middle East crisis, ignited by the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

Sindhu was en route to Birmingham for the prestigious All-England badminton championship when she became stuck in Dubai for several days. With no options available for onward travel to England, she was forced to withdraw from the tournament and return to India on the earliest flight available, prioritizing her safety.

"I explored every possible route to reach Birmingham for the All-England, but ultimately it was impossible. I even considered several alternative paths, including one with three stops leading to a 24-hour journey that would have only gotten me to Birmingham by Thursday—after the tournament had already begun," Sindhu shared during a press briefing held by the Sports Authority of India.

Now safely back in her hometown of Hyderabad, Sindhu is primarily concerned about the repercussions of her withdrawal on her BWF World Rankings and how she will make her way to Switzerland for the upcoming Swiss Open, scheduled in Basel from March 10 to 15.

She has been informed that the USD 5,000 penalty for missing a major tournament will be lifted due to the extraordinary circumstances she faced. However, the potential ranking loss is still under consideration by the BWF, who have promised to update her soon.

"They mentioned they will reach out to me, and I'm currently waiting for their feedback. I've shared my thoughts and will also discuss this further as a member of the Athletes Commission," Sindhu stated.

Labeling the experience as the worst she has ever faced, Sindhu indicated that she maintained communication with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) since arriving in Dubai on February 28, when she learned that the airport was shut and all flights were halted.

"Upon landing in Dubai on February 28 at 1 PM, we were informed that all flights were suspended. We were kept in the dark about the situation outside and the unfolding events, as we were told to wait. First, we were informed of delays, and then that the airspace was closed. It felt chaotic and extremely stressful, especially compared to the safe departure of my colleagues, including the doubles team," Sindhu recalled.

The most alarming moment was experienced by her Indonesian coach, Irwansyah Adi Pratama, who was still at the airport when an explosion occurred. "He called us from the airport, reporting a loud explosion about 100 meters away, accompanied by considerable smoke. We were uncertain whether it was a drone or a missile attack. Thankfully, he was safe, and authorities quickly evacuated him to a hotel. It was frightening, and we were deeply anxious about the situation. We received ongoing alerts from UAE officials advising us to stay indoors and refrain from going outside until last night when Emirates announced a flight to India, prompting me to book it as safety was paramount," Sindhu explained.

Sindhu expressed her gratitude towards the Indian government and the staff of the Indian Consulate in Dubai for their assistance during this crisis. "They were incredibly supportive, checking in on my welfare. The Sports Minister and officials from the Telangana government also reached out. I sincerely appreciate their help during this challenging time," Sindhu said.

While acknowledging the fear and anxiety she and her team experienced, they remained in touch and offered each other comfort. They also received encouragement from fellow Indians staying at their hotel. "I am disappointed to have missed the All-England, as I had prepared extensively for it. However, safety is my priority, and I had no choice but to withdraw as reaching there was unfeasible," Sindhu concluded.