New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association has declined to seek separate accommodation for Indian cricketers at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi Nagoya, leaving the Board of Control for Cricket in India to decide whether it wants to make independent arrangements for its players.
The IOA has indicated that if the BCCI opts for accommodation outside the facilities provided by the Games organisers, the cricket board would also have to take responsibility for associated arrangements, including meals, transportation and ensuring players reach the competition venue on time.
BCCI CEO Hemang Amin has reportedly discussed the matter with the IOA, with the cricket board considering sending an advance team to Japan to inspect the accommodation, cricket venue and other facilities before making a final decision.
The IOA has said it is comfortable with such an assessment and will support whichever option the BCCI chooses, provided the board assumes responsibility for arrangements if it decides against using the organisers’ facilities.
At present, the organisers have allocated separate hotels for India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams. The men’s squad is scheduled to stay at the three star APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae, while the women’s team has been assigned the four star Meitetsu Grand Hotel.
Although both hotels offer the required facilities, the accommodation is below the five star standard generally used by India’s cricketers. Twin sharing arrangements have also emerged as a concern.
The women’s team faces a particularly tight schedule. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the players are due to return from the Asia Cup in Dubai on September 13 before travelling to Nagoya the following day. Their Asian Games campaign is scheduled to begin on September 17.
The IOA has maintained that athlete welfare remains the priority and that advance planning should help players focus on competition without facing unnecessary logistical difficulties. The BCCI’s advance team is expected to inspect the arrangements before the board makes its final decision.
