New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India has sought to put an end to the controversy surrounding accommodation for Indian cricketers at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, saying the players will stay in designated hotels arranged in Nagoya.
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla said the accommodation may not match the five star hotels Indian players generally receive during overseas tours, but maintained that the facilities are comfortable and suitable for the team.
Shukla explained that Nagoya has a limited supply of top rated hotels, making accommodation arrangements more challenging. Moving the team to Tokyo or Osaka was considered impractical because of the distance from the competition venues.
According to Shukla, photographs and videos of the proposed accommodation have already been reviewed to ensure that the players receive adequate facilities. He also clarified that the cricketers would stay in individual rooms rather than twin sharing arrangements.
Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha also said the accommodation issue had been resolved. She indicated that hotels had been arranged for athletes, while the cricket team’s accommodation was being handled separately in coordination with the relevant sporting and organising bodies.
Shukla said accommodation was not the primary concern for the cricket team. Instead, attention had been focused on the playing conditions, including the ground, wickets and dressing rooms. An Asian Cricket Council team had inspected the facilities and was satisfied with the arrangements.
The accommodation is being coordinated by the Indian Olympic Association, Asian Games Organising Committee and Japan Cricket Association. Shukla said any shortcomings identified during the event would be addressed.
India are the defending champions in both men’s and women’s cricket at the Asian Games. The Indian contingent will travel to Japan, with the men’s team scheduled to face Japan in a T20 match on September 22 before beginning its Asian Games campaign on September 28.
Shukla also dismissed speculation that India would send a second string side, insisting that a strong contingent featuring talented players will represent the country and expressing confidence in a successful campaign.
