India's U17 Women Wrestlers Miss Flight, Stranded in Jordan

The Under-17 Indian women's wrestling team faced an unexpected delay at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. They missed their flight back to India after a successful campaign at the World Championships. The nine wrestlers and three coaches were scheduled to return on Saturday evening but were booked on different flights.

Flight Confusion and Missed Connections

The coaches—Jai Bhagwan, Shilpi Sheoran, and Rekha Rani—were set to fly with Emirates, departing Amman at 6:10 pm and reaching Dubai at 10:10 pm. Their connecting flight was scheduled for 3:55 am, arriving in Delhi at 9:05 am. Meanwhile, the wrestlers were booked on Qatar Airways, departing at 8:30 pm and reaching Doha at 11:10 pm. However, the flight status indicated it left at 6:18 pm, causing confusion about whether it was rescheduled.

A source from the Indian contingent in Amman expressed concern over the separate bookings. "The young wrestlers should not have been booked in a separate flight. SAI should have booked them in the same flight. They are kids," said the source. Efforts are now being made to get them on the first available flight.

Efforts to Resolve the Situation

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is working to arrange flights for the stranded wrestlers. A WFI official stated, "See, the WFI is suspended. We are not in full control. We never book young wrestlers and coaches in separate flights. Arrangements are now being made for wrestlers' overnight stay; there is no flight available for Saturday. They will be booked on the first available flight."

Coach Jai Bhagwan, who is also the father of Mansi Lather—the 73kg world title winner—trains at Mirchpur training centre. The situation highlights the need for better coordination in travel arrangements for young athletes.

Historic Victory for Indian Women Wrestlers

Despite the travel hiccup, the Indian women’s wrestling team had an outstanding performance at the World Championships. They secured their first-ever team title with 185 points, surpassing Japan's 146 points and Kazakhstan's 79 points. The team won five gold medals, one silver, and two bronze across nine weight categories.

The success of these young athletes underscores their talent and dedication. However, logistical issues like these can overshadow their achievements and need to be addressed promptly by sports authorities.

Efforts are ongoing to ensure that the young wrestlers return home safely and without further delays. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper planning and support for athletes representing their country on international stages.