 "India wrestlers stranded, F1 teams forced to make emergency plans as sports events face uncertainty amid West Asia mess")
India wrestlers stranded, F1 teams forced to make emergency plans as sports events face uncertainty amid West Asia mess
16 Indian wrestlers alongside their support staff and the Indian basketball team are both stuck in Albania and Qatar respectively as the crisis in West Asia continues to hamper air travel in the region.
The escalation in conflict in the Gulf region has led to disruption in travel plans and sports events too are witnessing impact. As many as 16 Indian wrestlers are currently stranded in Albania due to the closure of airspace in the Middle East.
The United World Wrestling Ranking Series took place in Tirana in Albania where the wrestling contingent is currently staying put due to effects of the conflict between US-Israel and Iran.
Wrestlers safe in Albania
India won seven medals at the series, but the return of the team is now awaited. The team has informed that the wrestlers are safe.
“We had come to Tirana for the senior ranking series. But because of the strikes in Dubai, our flights were cancelled (connecting flights). As a result, we stayed back in Tirana, close to the airport. We currently have no issues here,” Manjeet Rani, the women’s team coach, said in a video message.
Also, Indian basketball team is stuck in Doha, Qatar after its FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifier match against Lebanon was postponed due to the unfolding scenario in the region.
Star Indian shuttler
PV Sindhu too was stranded in Dubai on her way to Birmingham. She returned to India on Tuesday but will miss the All England Championships.
The departure of West Indies and Zimbabwe cricket teams from India is also delayed due to the same reason.
F1 forced to change travel plans
The conflict between US-Israel and Iran is having ripple effects on Formula 1’s planning. The first race of the season takes place this weekend in Australia and F1 has put in emergency plans to bring the staff members.
According to a report in the BBC, close to 1,000 members of staff have been forced to rearrange flights, with almost 500 of them set to be flown to Australia on chartered planes from Europe.
Australian Formula 1 chief Travis Auld has said that “everyone will be here (in Australia) ready for the race.”
The fourth and fifth races of the season are scheduled to take place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month and F1 said that it was currently ‘monitoring the situation’.
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