'We Are Okay But...': PV Sindhu's Coach Details 'Worrying' Situation At Dubai Airport

Last Updated:March 01, 2026, 13:27 IST

PV Sindhu and coach Irwansyah stranded at Dubai airport after explosion delays flights to Birmingham for All England Championships amidst Middle East tensions.

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu’s coach Irwansyah has said that there was an explosion at the Dubai airport and hence the entire team is stuck there at the moment, unable to fly to Birmingham to play the All England Championships, which is set to begin on Tuesday.

Sindhu and Irwansyah were stranded at Dubai International Airport after flights were suspended amidst rising tensions in the Middle East.

Explosions were reported across the Gulf as Iran launched a wave of missile and drone strikes on Saturday, February 28, in retaliation for attacks on its territory, hitting several locations, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“In Dubai at the moment, flights are getting cancelled. There was an explosion in airport, so we are stuck here at the moment. They have put us in the hotel, we are okay, but again, there is a little bit of worry at the same time," Irwansyah said while speaking to PTI.

“We want to go to All England. I hope we can fly out today because Sindhu’s match is on Wednesday," Irwansyah added.

Sindhu, on Saturday night, detailed the tense moments on social media.

“The ordeal continues to unfold and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour," Sindhu tweeted.

Most of the Indian team has already landed in Birmingham, including top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, men’s singles star Lakshya Sen, rising talent Ayush Shetty and the women’s doubles duo Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly.

Malvika Bansod has arrived in Birmingham as well, while Unnati Hooda remains in India after her direct flight from New Delhi was cancelled.

“I was supposed to travel today around 11, but this morning came to know that the flight has been cancelled. Now, seats aren’t available on connected flights. I am in touch with BAI and they are in conversation with BWF to maybe schedule my matches late," Unnati said.

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