Asian Games: Sports Ministry reaches out to Indian diaspora in Nagoya for athlete backup lodging amid housing crisis

Nagoya: Alarmed by the growing accommodation crisis at the Asian Games, the Sports Ministry has reached out to the local Indian diaspora to "help with the lodging" of athletes should room shortages persist during the continental showpiece starting Saturday.

Several competitors, including members of the Indian contingent, have complained about extensive delays in receiving their accommodation. In a cost-saving measure, organisers opted against building a central athletes village, leaving participants spread across container-style huts, a docked cruise ship, and scattered hotels.

India's Chef-de-mission Sahdev Yadav revealed Friday that roughly 35 Indian athletes had to be relocated to hotels after organisers failed to provide their pre-assigned rooms. With further contingents scheduled to arrive in phases, officials fear the housing squeeze could intensify.

"The sports ministry has reached out to the Indian diaspora to be on standby to help it with the accommodation of its athletes in case there is shortage of rooms for them during the course of the Asian Games," a traveling Ministry official said.

A senior sports ministry official told PTI on condition of anonymity that the Indian embassy spearheaded the outreach to approximately 2,000 families across Nagoya, many of whom stepped forward to offer emergency support.

"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 arrived in the port city and briefly attended Friday's flag-hoisting ceremony. The event itself suffered an hour-long delay caused by "miscommunication" between the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the local organizing committee.

Ministry officials remain confident the contingency plan will prevent major disruptions. Key squads, including the Indian badminton players, were moved directly to hotel rooms following arrival delays and will remain there temporarily.

"The diaspora has been very cooperative and they are helping in every way possible, including helping athletes at the airport by guiding them to the welcome area," the official added.

The logistical breakdown has drawn widespread criticism from participating nations, with South Korea emerging as one of the most vocal critics of the arrangements. However, the OCA rejected the backlash, asserting that the issue was being exploited on social media and politicized.

The Aichi-Nagoya Games will feature nearly 11,000 athletes competing across 43 sports through October 4, surpassing the Summer Olympics in both athlete numbers and total event count. (PTI)