As per reports, the Indian Olympic Association has rejected the request by the Board of Control for Cricket in India seeking special accommodation for its cricketers at the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. However, it has informed that the BCCI is free to make its own arrangements if the accommodation provided by the organisers does not meet its requirements.
According to officials in the know, IOA CEO Raghuram Aiyer said that the BCCI would have to take full responsibility for the players, including their food and ensuring they reach the venue on time.
“BCCI CEO Hemang Amin got in touch with us, and we had a fruitful discussion. They are contemplating sending an advance team to Japan to assess the facilities,” the report quoted Iyer as saying.
“The IOA is completely fine with that. Based on their assessment, they can decide whether they want to use the organisers’ facilities or make their own arrangements,” he added.
Emphasising that the IOA had to ensure equal treatment for athletes competing across 36 disciplines, it said, “The objective of the organisation was to ensure the athletes can focus only on their performance and do not face logistical issues. We are thinking well in advance about their welfare, comfort and acclimatisation, and this is something which is happening for the first time.”
Asian Games organisers in Japan have already provided accommodation for both the men’s and women’s cricket teams, as per reports. The Shubman-led team has been allotted rooms at three-star APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae, while the women’s team has their stay at the four-star Mei Etsu Grand Hotel.
The Indian women’s team faces the biggest logistical challenge, with the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side scheduled to leave for Japan just a day after the Asia Cup finale, provided they reach the summit clash.