Tokyo: Cricketers at this month's Asian Games in Japan are set to receive superior accommodation compared to athletes in several other disciplines, according to the head of Japanese cricket on Wednesday, following initial concerns over a shortage of five-star hotel options.

The clarification follows statements from a Sri Lankan official earlier this week indicating that key Asian teams had voiced doubts regarding the facilities and lodging arrangements for the Games, which commence on September 19 across Nagoya and the surrounding Aichi region.

Cricket remains a minor sport within Japan, with matches scheduled at a newly constructed venue featuring reported temporary setups, including tents for dressing rooms and off-site washrooms. Rather than constructing a central athletes' village, event planners are housing competitors across cruise ship cabins, prefabricated wooden container units, and regional hotels.

Organisers acknowledged last week that housing resources were severely strained after total athlete registrations reached 17,000—a figure considerably higher than the approximately 11,000 competitors hosted at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The tournament is being jointly managed by the Asian Games organising committee and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Naoki Alex Miyaji, Chief Executive of the Japan Cricket Association, confirmed to AFP that both organisations had engaged in extended dialogue regarding logistics.

"The participating teams in cricket are being offered hotel accommodation," Miyaji said on Wednesday. "Many other sports are being accommodated in much more limited facilities such as a cruise ship or container hotels."

Fixtures are scheduled for the Korogi Sports Park—a converted baseball facility situated roughly 40 minutes by train from downtown Nagoya. Indian media reports previously indicated the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was dissatisfied with the arrangements and considering fielding a secondary squad, despite initially naming a 15-player lineup led by Shreyas Iyer and featuring 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Addressing the venue's development, Miyaji noted that local organisers "only had 17 months to prepare and had to start from scratch" to host cricket. He emphasised that work has been ongoing "to ensure that the best facilities are provided within the limited timeline and facility restrictions."

"Despite being temporary, the facilities will provide as comfortable a space as possible for the players and officials," he stated.

Miyaji also expressed confidence in the quality of the playing area, which is being prepared by the head curator from Sri Lanka's 35,000-capacity Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

"From what I have seen, the playing surface and field will be the best seen in cricket's inclusion in the Asian Games," he added. (AFP)