Asian Games facilities row: Japan cricket CEO says teams can book hotels for free

Cricket teams competing in the upcoming Asian Games have been offered accommodation by organizers but will also be able to arrange their own hotels, Japan Cricket Association CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji said on Wednesday.

Miyaji’s comments came amid concerns some of Asia’s leading cricketing nations over the logistical security of the tournament, especially with the location of accommodation for the participating teams.

“The Asian Games is organized by the Aichi-Nagoya Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) in collaboration with the ACC under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA),” Miyaji told PTI in an interview.

“The JCA has provided support in some areas but is not directly involved, so I am not able to directly answer all your questions. I can say that all parties are working hard to ensure the success of cricket at the Asian Games.”

“I can also assure you that ACC has been discussing accommodation options with AINAGOC for a long time. Participating cricket teams are being offered hotel accommodation,” Miyaji said.

At the recent Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, several major cricketing nations reportedly raised questions about facilities and travel arrangements. India and Pakistan were among the full cricket boards that want their officials to travel to Japan at the earliest opportunity to review arrangements for players ahead of the Asian Games.

In particular, the boards questioned whether the rooms allocated to the teams were spacious enough.

There have been reports that the rooms may struggle to accommodate two players comfortably, especially when their cricket gear, bags and personal luggage are taken into account. As a result, representatives of the full membership countries require an on-site assessment of the facilities prior to the start of the tournament.

The designated accommodation is about 20 kilometers from the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, where the cricket matches will be played.

With the Asian Games scheduled to begin on September 17, Miyaji sought to ease concerns about the measures. He also addressed reports that suggested team toilets would be located as far as 500 meters from the cricket venue.

“Many other sports are accommodated in much more limited facilities such as a cruise ship or container hotels. Teams can provide their own accommodation if they choose,” he said.

“Please note that toilets will be available in the players’ area. There are both temporary and permanent facilities at the venue. Ground facilities are temporary but AINAGOC has been working very closely with the ACC for over a year to ensure the best facilities are provided within the limited timeline and facility constraints,” informed Miyaji.

The Japanese director of cricket also said that the players and officials will be given a comfortable space during the games.

“Despite being temporary, the facility will provide the most comfortable space possible for players and officials. There are also permanent facilities around the pitch that will be available to the players,” he said.

Miyaji remained optimistic about the tournament and backed cricket to be successful when it appears at the Asian Games in Japan.

“Cricket will be one of the biggest sports at the Asian Games. It will also be the first time that Asia’s top cricket teams will play in Japan,” Miyaji said.

The Indian men’s cricket team will enter the Asian Games at the quarter-final stage with Shreyas Iyer’s team will play their opening match in Japan on September 28.

The women’s team will begin their campaign much earlier as Harmanpreet Kaur and co take on Japan in their first match on September 18.

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Published on:

01 Sep 2026 19:22 IST