How did a video about lunch turn into a row with a Japanese governor?

A Thai teqball coach joked about his small lunch portion at the Asian Games. Weeks later, a Japanese governor was questioning whether those behind the video had come to compete or rack up social media views.

The clip sparked a dispute over meal provision at the Aichi-Nagoya Games and a backlash over Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura’s response. Omura has since said his criticism targeted the team’s manager and coaches, rather than Thailand’s entire delegation. The Thai teqball association has apologised for any upset, while the coach says the video was meant to make his team laugh.

Here’s how the controversy unfolded.

1. The lunch video that started it

On 17 September, a video was posted by the Facebook page Teqball Thailand Inside. Head coach Rewat “Oat” Phabchomphu filmed himself collecting lunch at the competition venue, joking about the small serving he received.

When he tried to take another vegetable dish, a staff member told him he could choose only one. He joked about the restriction as members of the team laughed in the background.

2. The Thai team arranged extra food

The team subsequently reassured supporters that additional food had been arranged outside the venue and that the athletes were well fed and ready to compete.

3. Organisers said the meals were not theirs

The Games organising committee also responded to criticism of the catering. Khaosod reported that the committee said the food and drinks shown at the teqball venue had not been supplied by AINAGOC, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games organising committee.

The distinction became central to the dispute over who was responsible for the meal service.

4. The governor questioned the purpose of the posts

In a report published on 6 October, Khaosod cited Mainichi’s coverage of Omura’s press conference, where he expressed frustration over the food criticism.

Omura, who also chaired the Games organising committee, questioned what those behind the posts had come to do and whether they were trying to generate views. He said he had felt he would rather people like that had not come.

Khaosod reported that the remarks drew criticism in Japan, including over the tone used by a senior official hosting an international sporting event.

5. Omura said he meant the coaches, not the Thai team

On 7 October, Omura posted a clarification on X, saying newspaper coverage could misleadingly suggest he had said he did not want Thailand’s team to attend.

He said his comments referred specifically to the Thai delegation’s manager and coaches involved in the food posts. He maintained that he had questioned their motives and felt, at that moment, that he would rather people like them had not come.

He also said the matter was outside the organising committee’s remit and that he had protested against reporting he considered inaccurate and requested corrections.

🤝 6. Thai association apologises; coach says it was a joke

On 8 October, the Thai teqball association’s president apologised to the hosts and viewers if the clip had caused discomfort, saying the upset was unintentional.

Coach Rewat said the video was filmed for fun to help the team relax, rather than to lodge a complaint. He denied chasing views and said his purpose at the Games was to win gold medals.

He also said he held no grudge over the governor’s remarks. The team had been well looked after, he explained, acknowledging that they might have failed to show that side of their experience on camera.