Archive · 18 Sep 2026
India Seeks Diaspora Help Amid Asian Games Lodging Crisis
Some athletes at the Asian Games did not receive their assigned rooms on time.
About 35 Indian athletes were moved to hotels instead.
Indian badminton players were among those temporarily relocated.
The problem happened because the Games did not have one special village for athletes.
Instead, athletes were placed in different places, including huts, hotels and a cruise ship.
India asked Indian families living in Nagoya to be ready to help if more rooms were needed.
The embassy contacted about 2,000 families, and some offered assistance.
Other countries also complained about waiting a long time for rooms.
The Olympic Council of Asia rejected the criticism and said the issue was being used to politicize the Games.
About 35 Indian athletes were moved to hotels after designated accommodation was unavailable.
The Sports Ministry asked Indian families in Nagoya to remain on standby for possible lodging support.
The Indian embassy helped contact around 2,000 families, several of whom offered assistance.
Athletes from multiple countries faced delays amid lodging spread across huts, a cruise ship and hotels.
South Korea criticized the arrangements, while the Olympic Council of Asia accused critics of politicizing the Games.
- Who
- The Indian Sports Ministry, Indian athletes, the Indian diaspora in Nagoya, participating countries and the Olympic Council of Asia are involved.
- What
- India sought diaspora support as about 35 athletes were moved to hotels amid delays in receiving designated accommodation.
- When
- The issue was reported on Friday, September 18, before the Games began on Saturday and ahead of competition through October 4.
- Where
- Nagoya, where the Asian Games are being held.
- Why
- Accommodation was delayed because the Games had no dedicated athletes’ village and rooms were spread across several types of lodging.
Critics of the arrangements
Olympic Council of Asia
Accommodation management
Critics of the arrangements
Athletes from India and other countries complained about delayed accommodation and inadequate arrangements; South Korea was among the most vocal critics.
Olympic Council of Asia
The Olympic Council of Asia rejected the criticism and said the situation was being exploited on social media to politicize the Games.
Use of alternative lodging
Critics of the arrangements
India moved about 35 athletes, including badminton players, to hotels after they did not receive designated rooms.
Olympic Council of Asia
The Indian Sports Ministry said hotels were the first priority and diaspora support would serve as a backup if more rooms were needed.
- Indian athletes relocated
- About 35 Indian athletes were shifted to hotels.
- Diaspora outreach
- The Indian embassy helped contact approximately 2,000 Indian families in Nagoya.
- Accommodation backup
- Families were asked to remain on standby if hotel rooms proved insufficient.
- Lodging arrangements
- Athletes were housed in container-style units, a docked cruise ship and hotels.
- Reported delays
- Some athletes reportedly waited nine to 10 hours for accommodation.
- Games participation
- Nearly 11,000 athletes are expected to compete in 43 sports.
- Flag ceremony delay
- The flag-hoisting ceremony was delayed by more than an hour because of reported miscommunication.
