Asian Games accommodation crisis: India seeks diaspora help

Alarmed by the accommodation crisis at the Asian Games in Nagoya, the Sports Ministry has reached out to the Indian diaspora for possible lodging support for Indian athletes if the shortage of rooms is not resolved during the continental event.

The Games begin on Saturday, with several athletes, including members of the Indian contingent, reporting delays in receiving their designated accommodation. In the absence of a dedicated athletes’ village, participants are being housed across container-style facilities, a docked cruise ship and hotels.

India's Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav said on Friday that around 35 Indian athletes had already been moved to hotels after organisers failed to provide their designated accommodation. The situation could become more challenging as additional athletes arrive according to their competition schedules.

Indian badminton players have also been shifted to a hotel following delays in receiving accommodation and are expected to remain there for the time being.

A travelling Sports Ministry official said the ministry had contacted the Indian diaspora in Nagoya and asked them to remain on standby in case additional lodging was required for Indian athletes.

A senior ministry official told PTI that the Indian Embassy had played a key role in reaching out to nearly 2,000 Indian-origin families in Nagoya. Several families have reportedly expressed their willingness to assist if the accommodation shortage continues.

“The first priority would be to accommodate the athletes in good hotels but if there is still a requirement for more rooms there is the Indian diaspora to fall back on,” the official said.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has also arrived in the port city and briefly attended the flag-hoisting ceremony on Friday. The ceremony was delayed by more than an hour due to what officials described as “miscommunication” between the Olympic Council of Asia and the local organising committee.

The ministry said the Indian diaspora has already been assisting members of the contingent at the airport and helping guide them to the welcome centre. Two members of the Chef de Mission's staff will also remain available at the airport to receive arriving athletes.

The ministry's move comes amid reports that athletes from several countries have faced lengthy waits for their accommodation, with some reportedly waiting as long as nine to 10 hours.

The accommodation arrangements have attracted criticism from participating countries, with South Korea among those raising concerns. The Olympic Council of Asia, however, has rejected the criticism, saying attempts were being made to exploit the situation on social media and politicise the Games.

Around 11,000 athletes are expected to compete across 43 sports until October 4, making the Asian Games one of the world's largest multi-sport events by participation.

Meanwhile, the Sports Ministry is also monitoring the ongoing issues surrounding hockey in India. The ministry has asked Hockey India and Hockey India League (HIL) franchises to resolve their differences to ensure the league is not disrupted and avoid the need for government intervention. with inputs from PTI