Asian Games 2026 — Sports Ministry taps into Indian diaspora to manage accommodation and food issues

The Asian Games 2026 have been marred by several administrative issues thus far. | Photo Credit: PTI

The Indian government has tapped into the small but important Indian diaspora to help tide over accommodation and food issues for Indian athletes at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

With a continued shortage of accommodation and little assistance from the organisers, Indian officials have decided to make their own arrangements to ease the athletes’ concerns. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya landed in the city on Friday morning, and sources said he had been coordinating with the chef-de-mission and other IOA members here.

The Indian management has created a three-layer support system for the athletes, starting with two members at the airport to guide and help them through the formalities and transportation, followed by three more at the Welcome Centre to ensure a smooth transition. With just 2000 Indians in Nagoya, officials have also identified and confirmed 10-12 homes so far as a last resort for accommodating athletes.

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“Given that there have been so many problems already and 50 per cent of our athletes yet to land, it was clear that we would have to manage things ourselves and not rely on the organisers. Those still not allocated accommodation have been temporarily adjusted at hotels,” an official said.

Sources said Mandaviya spent the day discussing contingency plans with CDM Sahdev Yadav and his team.

On Saturday, the Sports Minister met Olympic Council of Asia DG Husain Al-Musallam, with the two discussing ways to strengthen cooperation between India’s national sports federations and their respective Asian bodies, as well as exploring ways to develop aquatic sports in India.