Cricketers competing at this month’s Asian Games in Japan are set to receive superior accommodation compared to athletes in many other disciplines, according to the head of Japanese cricket. This assurance comes as concerns mount regarding the availability of high-end lodging for participants at the event, which begins on September 19 across Nagoya and the wider Aichi region.
The pressure on local infrastructure is significant, with organizers reporting that accommodation capacity has been pushed to its limit. The total number of athletes participating in these Games has reached 17,000, a notable increase from the 11,000 athletes who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With no dedicated athletes’ village, organizers have been forced to utilize diverse housing options, including cruise ship cabins, temporary wooden containers, and various hotels.
Japan Cricket Association CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji stated that his organization and the Asian Cricket Council have been discussing these arrangements “for a long time.” Addressing concerns raised by a Sri Lankan official regarding facility standards, Miyaji confirmed on Wednesday that “the participating teams in cricket are being offered hotel accommodation,” contrasting this with the more restricted housing, such as container hotels or cruise ships, assigned to other sports.
The cricket tournament, held at the newly converted Korogi Sports Park—a former baseball field located 40 minutes from central Nagoya—has faced scrutiny. Reports indicate that some cricket boards, including India’s, have expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangements, leading to speculation that a second-string squad might be sent instead of the initial 15-player roster featuring Shreyas Iyer and teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Miyaji acknowledged the logistical hurdles, noting that organizers “only had 17 months to prepare and had to start from scratch.” He emphasized that efforts have been focused “to ensure that the best facilities are provided within the limited timeline and facility restrictions.” He added that while the setup is temporary, the goal is to provide a space that is “as comfortable a space as possible for the players and officials.”
On the technical side, the pitch is being prepared by the curator of Sri Lanka’s 35,000-capacity Pallekele International Cricket Stadium to ensure a high standard of play. Miyaji expressed confidence in the outcome, stating, “From what I have seen, the playing surface and field will be the best seen in cricket’s inclusion in the Asian Games.” The report also notes that and its fixtures will be played at a new purpose-built ground, with reports of tents serving as dressing rooms and distant toilet facilities, cricket is a minor sport in Japan.
