Air travel disruptions triggered by the unstable situation in West Asia have left several Indians stranded across airports in the region, including athletes. Among them are Indian shuttler PV Sindhu and India’s women’s wrestling team.
While P.V. Sindhu shared her situation through a social media post, questions were raised about the condition of the women’s wrestling squad. Team coach Manjit has now clarified that the players are safe.
The Indian women’s wrestling team had travelled to Tirana, Albania, to compete in the Muhamed Malo 2026 tournament. However, escalating tensions in West Asia led to widespread flight cancellations. Iran’s reported attacks on US-allied nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan resulted in the closure of several airspaces, affecting international travel routes.
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As a result, India’s 16 women wrestlers and support staff remain stranded in Albania after their return flight was cancelled.
Despite the disruption, officials confirmed that the team is safe and well accommodated. The Government of India and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) have arranged for their stay. The squad is currently lodged at a hotel near Tirana airport.
“We are not facing any problems here either. We are safe,” Coach Manjit said. Head coach Virendra Singh added, “After our flight was cancelled, we received calls from the Sports Minister and WFI, and we are not facing any problems. WFI has informed us that there will be no problems until the situation normalises.”
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In contrast, the men’s wrestling team has already returned to India, as their competition concluded earlier, before airspace restrictions intensified.
India had sent a 48-member contingent to the Muhamed Malo 2026. Sixteen wrestlers competed in men’s freestyle, sixteen in women’s freestyle and sixteen in the Greco-Roman category.
India secured one gold medal at the event, won by Sujit Kalkol in the men’s 65kg freestyle category. He had earlier been an under-23 champion. The contingent also bagged three silver and three bronze medals in the tournament. While uncertainty continues over flight schedules, officials have assured that the women’s team will return once air travel resumes and the regional situation stabilises.
