Archive · 5 Sep 2026
IOA Leaves BCCI To Handle Special Asian Games Logistics
India’s cricket teams are preparing to play at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The Olympic association says cricket should be treated like the other Indian sports teams.
Organizers have already assigned hotels to the men’s and women’s teams.
The hotels have the needed facilities but are not five-star properties.
Players would also share rooms with another player.
The cricket board can choose different hotels if it wants.
If it does that, the board must arrange food, transportation and other logistics.
A BCCI team will inspect the facilities before making a final decision.
Players must still follow Games rules, security requirements and anti-doping procedures.
The Indian Olympic Association will not arrange special accommodation for India’s cricketers at the 2026 Asian Games.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India may choose separate hotels but would then handle food, transport and timely venue arrivals.
Organizers assigned the men’s team to APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae and the women’s team to Meitetsu Grand Hotel.
The assigned hotels have required amenities but are below the five-star standard Indian cricketers typically use, and rooms will be twin-sharing.
A BCCI advance team will inspect hotels, venues and other facilities in Japan before the board decides on arrangements.
- Who
- The Indian Olympic Association, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams.
- What
- The IOA declined to arrange special accommodation for cricket, leaving the BCCI to choose between organizers’ facilities and separate arrangements.
- When
- The reports were published on September 5, 2026. The women’s team is scheduled to travel from Dubai to Nagoya on September 14; reports differ on whether its competition begins September 17 or September 18. The men’s team is scheduled to travel on September 21, with its competition beginning September 28.
- Where
- The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan; the assigned hotels are in Nagoya.
- Why
- The IOA says athletes across 36 sports should receive equal treatment, while the BCCI has raised concerns about hotel standards, twin-sharing rooms and team logistics.
IOA’s Equal-Treatment Position
BCCI’s Accommodation Concerns
Special accommodation
IOA’s Equal-Treatment Position
The IOA says all athletes, coaches and the wider Indian delegation should be treated equally across 36 sports and will not seek separate arrangements for cricket.
BCCI’s Accommodation Concerns
The BCCI is considering separate accommodation because the assigned hotels are below the five-star standard its players typically use and require twin-sharing.
Logistical responsibility
IOA’s Equal-Treatment Position
The IOA says the BCCI can arrange different hotels but must also take responsibility for food, transport and timely arrivals at venues.
BCCI’s Accommodation Concerns
The BCCI is assessing whether independent arrangements would better address the teams’ accommodation, welfare and logistical needs.
Decision process
IOA’s Equal-Treatment Position
IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer said the BCCI is free to inspect facilities and work with organizers to find a suitable solution.
BCCI’s Accommodation Concerns
The BCCI will send an advance team to Japan and use its assessment to decide whether to accept the organizers’ hotels or arrange alternatives.
- Event
- Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026
- IOA position
- The IOA will not arrange separate accommodation for cricket and says the BCCI may make its own arrangements.
- Men’s hotel
- Three-star APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae
- Women’s hotel
- Four-star Meitetsu Grand Hotel
- Accommodation concerns
- Both hotels are below the five-star standard Indian cricketers typically use, and rooms will be twin-sharing.
- BCCI responsibility
- If it chooses separate accommodation, the BCCI must handle food, transportation and ensuring players reach venues on time.
- Next step
- A BCCI advance team will inspect hotels, cricket venues and other facilities in Japan.
- Games scale
- Aichi-Nagoya is expected to host about 17,000 athletes and coaches, up from an earlier estimate of 15,000.
