Will there be a repeat of the Asian Cup scenarios at the Asian Games?

India are the reigning champions of the Asia Cup in both men’s and women’s cricket. But the teams are yet to receive either the trophies or their medals due to the insistence of ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, to hand them over, which is unacceptable to the Indian troops.Could a similar situation be repeated at the Asian Games? Both the teams are firm favorites to win the gold medals and there is a chance that Naqvi will be at the awards ceremony. It is the prerogative of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) who to entrust with the presentation of the medals. If they pick Naqvi, will India still refuse to take the prize? And if so, what would the fallout be?According to OCA regulations and top Indian Olympic Association (IOA) sources, if Naqvi is officially delegated the responsibility by OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, the Indian athletes are expected to accept their medals. Failure to do so will be considered in contempt of the Games, the OCA and its authorized representative and may result in disciplinary action.TOI asked the Secretary of the Cricket Board of India (BCCI), Devajit Saikia, what would be the BCCI’s stance on the presentation of medals if the Asia Cup was repeated in Japan. Saikia’s response: “Our focus is solely on the matches. Teams have to get on the podium first. Then we will make a call considering all the prevailing factors at the time. We will cross the bridge only when we reach it. The focus of the board and the players is only on winning the matches. We do not want to comment on anything else that has not already happened.”What is the probability that Naqvi will be asked to present the medals? Rule 66 of the OCA Handbook and Guidelines Governing the Asian Games states in the section “Victory and Medal Ceremonies”: “Medals to the winners of the OCA Games shall be presented by the President of the OCA.The President may delegate this privilege to other OCA members accompanied by the President of the relevant International Federation and/or Asian Federation (or their representative) as soon as possible immediately after the event and where the competition took place. Competitors must take their places on the podium in their official sports uniforms.”Rule 66 also states: “No demonstration or commercial, political, religious or racial propaganda of any kind is allowed during the Victory Ceremony of the Games. Any disrespect for the Games, medals, flags, mascots or certificates or any action of this nature will be subject to EB penalties including disqualification, withdrawal of medals, certificates, accreditation, evaluation and the like.”Organizers OCA and Aichi-Nagoya coordinate with the ACC on all cricket related matters. ACC also oversaw the preparation of the Korogi Sports Park, the venue for the event, and Naqvi was a big part of the process. However, ICC chairman Jay Shah played a key role in promoting the inclusion of cricket as an Olympic sport.So it will be interesting to see who the OCA selects to present the medals if they are also present at the venue. A top IOA source told TOI, “India cannot ask the OCA not to nominate Naqvi. After all, it is the Asian Games, not the ICC or a bilateral tournament. Neither the IOA nor the BCCI can make such a request to the OCA or ask it to select or exclude a particular person. Such a request cannot be made to the OCA preemptively in view of the situation as only a decision of this nature can occur.” Of course, it’s entirely possible that Naqvi might not be asked to present the medals, but a little advance planning might not hurt.