Indian athletes arriving in Nagoya for the 2026 Asian Games have faced accommodation and logistical difficulties ahead of the event. Several athletes reportedly had to wait for hours, with some members of the Indian contingent waiting up to 14 hours for their allotted rooms. The rowing team was among those most affected.
Athletes wait for rooms
After lengthy journeys to Japan, several Indian athletes were unable to immediately access their assigned accommodation.
Members of the rowing contingent reportedly waited for rooms on the cruise ship being used to accommodate athletes. Some athletes who eventually received rooms were asked to share them, while reports also said that some rowers were left waiting without food.
Shooters face transport delays
India's shooting contingent also encountered logistical problems. According to a Times of India report, shooters arriving at Nagoya airport waited for nearly three hours for transportation. With food outlets closed at the airport, the team reportedly had to wait until reaching its hotel in the early hours.
There were also reports that members of the shooting team were taking more than two hours to reach their training venue, raising concerns about the impact of travel time on preparations.
Accreditation issue also reported
India's pistol shooting head coach Samaresh Jung reportedly faced an accreditation problem, with his credentials initially not allowing access to certain areas required during competition. The issue was subsequently taken up with the relevant Indian sports authorities.
Why is accommodation under pressure?
Unlike several previous editions, the Aichi-Nagoya Games do not have a traditional dedicated Athletes' Village. Organisers are using a combination of a cruise ship, hotels and temporary container-style accommodation.
The organisers had initially planned for around 15,000 athletes and officials, but participation increased to around 17,000, putting additional pressure on accommodation arrangements.
Organisers' response
The Olympic Council of Asia and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee have disputed reports suggesting that registered participants were left without accommodation.
In an official statement, the two organisations said that all 17,000-plus athletes and officials registered before the July deadline had been provided with Games-appropriate accommodation.
Organisers have also said they are working to address complaints and have established a 24-hour resident centre to handle accommodation-related issues.
Asian Games begin September 19
The 20th Asian Games will officially begin on September 19 and run through October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. India is sending 501 athletes and 265 officials, with members of the contingent staying across cruise-ship accommodation, hotels and container-style facilities.
