Indian residents in Japan have volunteered to provide private housing for national athletes competing in the Asian Games if current accommodation issues persist. As the major sporting event prepares for its Saturday night opening in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture, organizers are facing criticism over the temporary living arrangements.
Japan opted to bypass the traditional athletes’ village model in favor of a mix of hotel rooms, a cruise ship, and temporary wooden container-style huts. However, many of the 17,000 visiting participants have expressed dissatisfaction, citing undersized beds and a lack of storage space for their sports equipment.
India, which has a delegation of nearly 500 athletes, has already transitioned some team members from the temporary huts into hotels. Sahdev Yadav, the Indian chef de mission and treasurer of the Indian Olympic Association, noted that while hotels are currently booked, a backup plan is in place. He told AFP that Indian households are standing by to offer support if space becomes limited as more support staff and competitors arrive. Yadav added that these local families are enthusiastic about welcoming the athletes into their homes.
The Indian embassy in Japan has reportedly coordinated with approximately 2,000 families in the Nagoya area to facilitate this effort. Despite the complaints from visiting teams, local organizers maintain that the housing strategy is cost-effective, safe, and comfortable, arguing that Japan’s innovative approach to the Games should be viewed as a positive effort. The report also notes that but the build-up to the event has been dogged by problems, asia’s biggest sporting spectacular opens officially in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture on Saturday night.
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