Eleven Indian archers, including veteran Abhishek Verma, Jyoti Surekha, and Dhiraj Bommadevara, along with three support staff, were left stranded at Dhaka airport for nearly ten hours on November 15 amidst chaotic and unsafe conditions. The athletes were returning from the 2025 Asian Archery Championships where they achieved their best-ever performance, winning 10 medals.
The trouble began when their 9:30 PM flight from Dhaka to Delhi was canceled. The team had checked out of their hotel around 4 PM due to the tense atmosphere in the city. While the rest of the contingent departed on schedule for Mumbai and Calcutta, 11 members were left behind. After boarding the plane at 10:30 PM, already an hour behind schedule, they were informed of a technical glitch and asked to deboard.
More than 126 passengers, including the Indian archers (some of whom were minors), were left stranded without clear information about boarding until nearly 2 AM. Connecting flight tickets from Delhi were subsequently canceled due to the delays. The athletes were informed that an alternate flight would be arranged from Delhi, but after further waiting, they were told that no flight would be coming and that the original flight would be repaired.
As the night wore on, the situation worsened. The archers were then transported in a local bus, described as lacking windows, to a nearby accommodation that was more like a dormitory, with six beds in a room. The athletes also reported that their cards were not working at ATMs in Dhaka, and only local currency was accepted, adding to their difficulties. The unstable political climate in Dhaka heightened the tension, with reports of cars being burned on the last day. One of the archers, Abhishek Verma, noted the need to ensure the safety of the younger athletes, some as young as 15.
Throughout the ordeal, the Indian archers allegedly received no support from local organizers. The athletes had felt secure while under the care of the Asian Federation but were left to fend for themselves once the travel issues arose. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety and support provided to athletes during international travel, particularly in regions with political instability.
