Indian archers returning from their historic performance at the Asian Championships in Dhaka endured a nightmare return after their flight was cancelled, leaving them stranded overnight in unsafe conditions without assistance. Eleven members of the 23-strong contingent, including seven women and two minors, spent nearly 10 hours inside the Dhaka airport before being taken to what they described as a &ldquo;substandard shelter&rdquo; amid violent protests in the city.
The situation escalated after the group, which included senior archers like Abhishek Verma, Jyoti Surekha, and Olympian Dhiraj Bommadevara, was told post-boarding that their aircraft had developed a technical snag. Despite the chaos in Dhaka over a trial involving deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, no alternative flight was arranged until the next morning. &ldquo;We were taken in a windowless bus to a dharamshala-like place, cramped rooms, filthy toilet, no security."
Unable to make alternative arrangements due to payment glitches and lack of international card support, the team had no choice but to wait in uncertainty. &ldquo;If they had confirmed a morning flight, we would have stayed at the airport. But they didn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; Verma said. The next day, after more delays upon reaching Delhi, several archers missed their connections and the federation had to cover heavy rebooking costs.
The ordeal overshadowed India&rsquo;s best-ever performance at the Asian Championships, where the team topped the medals tally with 10 podium finishes, including six golds. Verma held the airline accountable, saying, &ldquo;Your plane breaks down amid riots, and you put a national team in local transport? Who would have taken responsibility if something had gone wrong?&rdquo;

Archers Stranded in Dhaka Amid Flight Chaos

Indian archers forced into unsafe shelter after flight cancellation; no support

Archers Stranded in Dhaka Amid Flight Chaos

Indian archers forced into unsafe shelter after flight cancellation; no support

November 18, 2025 | 19:01 IST