Asian Games 2026: Indian Athletes Face 14-Hour Wait Amid Accommodation Chaos in Nagoya
Indian athletes, including rowers, shooters, wushu, and table tennis teams, faced a grueling 14-hour wait without rooms or proper facilities upon arrival for the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya. Indian rowers, shooters, and members of the wushu and table tennis teams were among those subjected to lengthy delays and logistical nightmares.
Hopes for a smooth start to the 20th Asian Games were dashed for several Indian contingents this week, with athletes facing a harrowing 14-hour wait for accommodation and basic amenities upon arrival in Nagoya. The unprecedented chaos has cast a shadow over the multi-sport event, which officially kicks off on September 19, 2026. Where to Watch Asian games 2026 Live Streaming Online and TV Channel Telecast in India.
Widespread Disarray Hits Multiple Nations
The accommodation crisis is not isolated to the Indian contingent. Athletes and officials from other participating nations, including South Korea, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and the Philippines, have also reported significant check-in delays and unsatisfactory living conditions.
The organisers’ decision to forgo a traditional Athletes’ Village in favour of a distributed accommodation model – comprising hotels, the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, and temporary wooden container units – has come under heavy scrutiny. While around 4,000 athletes and officials are housed on the Costa Serena, approximately 2,000 are in container units.
Complaints have been rampant, particularly concerning the container housing. South Korean officials have branded the conditions as the “worst ever,” citing cramped spaces and beds too short for taller athletes. Korean basketball player Byun Jun-hyung notably shared images on social media depicting a leaking sink and wet floor in his temporary facility. Compatriot Lee Hyun-jun, standing at 2.02 meters, expressed his dismay over beds measuring only 1.95 meters.
Key Accommodation Issues Reported
- 14-hour waiting periods: Indian athletes, including rowers and shooters, experienced extensive delays for room allocation upon arrival.
- Missing names: Indian wushu players and coaches found their names missing from registration lists for the Costa Serena.
- Cramped conditions: Container units criticised for small size and insufficient bed length, impacting athletes like South Korea’s Lee Hyun-jun.
- Facility damage: Leaking sinks and wet floors reported in container accommodations by athletes like Byun Jun-hyung.
- Rainfall impact: Hundreds of athletes were temporarily evacuated from Garden Pier container accommodation due to record rainfall and flooding.
- Official displacement: Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino confirmed that some officials, including coaches, had to be moved to alternate hotels or Airbnb lodgings.
Indian shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor was also seen settling into one of the container units, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. Organisers admitted anticipating “challenges” and had prepared backup hotel accommodations. Despite these efforts, the logistical shortcomings have significantly impacted the initial days of the Games. Indian Chess Teams Face Hotel Delay Ahead of 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand.
As the opening ceremony at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium approaches, organisers are under immense pressure to swiftly resolve the remaining accommodation issues for the estimated 17,000 athletes and officials. The athletics programme is set to run from September 23 to 29 at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, and smooth logistics are crucial for peak performance.
While some Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials have stated that all Indian players were eventually allocated rooms, the initial experience has raised serious concerns about the preparedness for an event of this magnitude. With the Games just days away, the focus remains on ensuring all athletes can compete without further logistical hindrances.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2026 01:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
