The entire delegation is treated equally: IOA
The IOA has said that it treats the entire Indian contingent for the 2026 Asian Games equally and that it cannot extend any special treatment to the Indian cricket delegation. It clearly stated that if the accommodation and the facilities offered by the Games organisers to Indian cricket do not match BCCI’s expectations, it is free to make its own arrangements.
The association further said that if the BCCI chooses accommodation for Indian cricketers other than that offered by the Games organisers, it will be entirely responsible for the players’ accommodation, meals, local transport, and travel to match venues. “It is for the BCCI and the organisers to work out the best solution. All sports, athletes, coaches, and the entire delegation are treated equally by IOA,” IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer said.
BCCI’s team to assess facilities for cricketers
After IOA’s clear refusal, BCCI is planning to send a team to Japan ahead of the Games to assess the facilities for Indian cricket teams. The association said that it has no objection to the assessment, and the BCCI can then decide if they want to use the offered accommodation or make its own arrangements.
“BCCI CEO Hemang Amin got in touch with us (IOA), and we had a fruitful discussion. They are contemplating sending an advance team to Japan to assess the facilities. The IOA is completely fine with that. Based on their assessment, they can decide whether they want to use the organisers’ facilities or make their own arrangements,” Iyer said.
As per reports, the organisers of the 2026 Asian Games had a designated accommodation plan for the men’s and women’s Indian cricket teams. The men’s cricket team has been assigned the three-star APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae, while the women’s team has been assigned the four-star Meitetsu Grand Hotel. Though the accommodations offered are not five-star, as Indian cricketers are accustomed to, they are said to have all the required facilities.
The BCCI has flagged several logistical issues in the designated accommodation, including the twin-sharing rooms and the distance of the accommodation from the cricket venue. The venue where cricket matches during the Games will be played is a remodelled baseball facility, which was developed for the Asian Games after Aichi was found not to have a suitable cricket ground. Moreover, the location of the cricket venue is Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, about 20 km outside central Nagoya, where the Indian cricket teams have been offered accommodation.
The Asian Games campaign for the Indian women’s team begins directly in the quarterfinals on 18th September, with their tournament scheduled to conclude on 22nd September. The Indian men’s team will also begin their campaign directly from the quarter-finals, and their first match will be on 28th September.
Unlike the previous Asian Games, no conventional Athletes’ Village has been set up for accommodating players this time due to concerns regarding cost and construction. The players have been offered accommodation in hotels, temporary accommodations, and cruise ships. Around 17,000 participants, including 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials, are expected to take part in the Games scheduled to be held in Nagoya and the Aichi region from 19th September to 4th October.
