Hotel stays, best playing conditions: Japan Cricket eases Asian Games fears

Cricket is set to be one of the biggest sports at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, with organizers working against a tight 17-month preparation period to deliver the facilities for some of Asia’s leading cricket teams. Speaking exclusively to India Today, Japan Cricket Association (JCA) CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji said the organizers virtually started from scratch as there were no cricket venues of the appropriate level in Aichi Prefecture when preparations began.

“The playing surface and the field will be seen best when cricket is included in the AG,” Miyaji told India Today, acknowledging the constraints the organizers have to face.

The Asian Games are organized by the Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) in collaboration with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The JCA has provided support in several areas but is not directly responsible for organizing the cricket competition.

According to Miyaji, AINAGOC and ACC worked closely together to make the best use of the limited time and available resources.

The cricket venue at Nisshin’s Korogi Sports Park will feature a full-sized pitch with turf and hybrid pitches. Experienced curators were brought in to prepare the pitch, with Sri Lanka Cricket also instrumental in providing curatorial expertise.

“There are limits to what they can do within these strict limits,” Miyaji said, adding that the facility was nevertheless developed to provide the most comfortable environment for players and officials.

The site will have a combination of temporary and permanent facilities. While the facilities immediately around the ground will be temporary, AINAGOC has worked closely with ACC for over a year to see what can be delivered within the constraints of the venue and the short preparation period.

Miyaji also clarified that toilets will be available in the players’ areas, while permanent facilities surrounding the pitch will also be accessible to players. This photo taken on May 9, 2026 shows the pitch at the Nisshin Cricket Ground at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture (Getty Images)

ACCOMMODATION FLEXIBLE

Accommodation was also a key part of the preparations. It turns out that regular members want representatives in Japan to review the equipment amid concerns about the Games Village’s cramped rooms and accommodation standards.

Miyaji said ACC has been discussing accommodation options with AINAGOC for quite some time and that he is participating cricket teams are offered hotel accommodation.

Other sports at the Asian Games face more limited accommodation options, including options involving cruise ships and container hotels, according to Miyaji.

Cricket teams will also be able to provide their own accommodation if they wish.

Although the JCA does not directly organize a cricket competition, it has focused heavily on connecting the sport with the local community. The association took cricket to schools and shopping centers across the area where the response was very enthusiastic. The JCA is also counting on the support of the city of Nisshin, with Miyaji expressing confidence that the local community will strongly support the Asian Games.

“We are confident that the local community will be 100% behind AG,” Miyaji said.

JCA has considerable experience in organizing international cricket matches and tournaments in Japan. That experience, Miyaji said, means that anxiety is inevitable before a big event, but it can also help organizers identify areas where improvements can be made.

“We will have many concerns leading up to the events with the intention of making every possible improvement to ensure the best possible tournament,” he said.

The Asian Games will be a major moment for cricket in Japan, with the competition bringing some of the continent’s top teams to the country. Miyaji said cricket would be among the biggest sports at the Games and stressed the importance of Asia’s top cricket teams competing in Japan for the first time. The JCA intends to support AINAGOC and ACC in hosting the tournament with the wider aim of using the event to introduce cricket to a new audience in Japan.

“We will support AINAGOC and ACC to make the tournament a success and attract new audiences to the sport in Japan,” Miyaji said.

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

02 Sep 2026 14:14 IST