New Delhi, March 2 – The Indian women's wrestling team is stranded in Tirana, Albania, as the escalating Israel-Iran conflict has severely disrupted flight schedules. However, the Indian government and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) have promptly arranged accommodation for the team in the Albanian capital.
Most West Asian countries have closed their airspace after Iran carried out retaliatory strikes on Israel and US military bases in the region. The targets included bases in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. The strikes came in response to attacks by the US and Israel.
As many as 16 women wrestlers, along with their support staff, went to Albania for the Muhamet Malo 2026 wrestling tournament, which concluded on Sunday, and got stuck in the Albanian capital after their return flight to India via Dunai was cancelled due to the escalating situation in the Middle East.
The men's freestyle team, however, returned to the country after their competition, which finished a couple of days ago.
The Indian women's wrestling coach, Manjeet, said that the team is staying in a hotel near the airport in Tirana and thanked WFI and the Indian government for their quick help and support.
"We don't have any problems here. We are safe here," Manjeet said.
Meanwhile, the chief coach, Virender Singh, shared, "After our flight was cancelled, we received a call from the Sports Ministry and WFI. We are not facing any kind of problems here. WFI has assured us that we will not face any difficulty until the situation is sorted out."
India sent a 48-member wrestling team for the Muhamet Malo 2026, with 16 entered in each of the men's freestyle, women's divisions, and Greco-Roman categories.
Sujeet Kalkal, a U23 world champion, was India’s only gold medallist at the Muhamet Malo 2026 ranking series, winning the men's 65kg freestyle division as India concluded their campaign with seven medals – one gold, three silver, and as many bronze.