Asian Games facilities row: Japan cricket CEO says teams free to book hotels

Japan Cricket Association CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji said Asian Games cricket teams can use organiser-arranged hotels or book their own. The assurance came as leading boards questioned room sizes, travel distance and temporary facilities before the tournament.

In Short

• Miyaji said AINAGOC and ACC have coordinated cricket planning for months
• India and Pakistan want officials to inspect arrangements before competition begins
• Miyaji remained optimistic about tournament and backed cricket to have a successful outing

Cricket teams competing at the upcoming Asian Games have been offered accommodation by the organisers, but they will also have the option of arranging their own hotels, Japan Cricket Association CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji said on Wednesday.

Miyaji's comments came amid concerns from some of Asia's leading cricket nations over the logistical arrangements for the tournament, particularly the location of the accommodation being provided to participating teams.

"The Asian Games is being organised by the organising committee Aichi-Nagoya Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) in collaboration with the ACC under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)," Miyaji told PTI in an interview.

"The JCA has provided support in some areas but is not directly involved so I am no able to directly answer all of your questions. What I can say is that all parties are working hard to ensure the success of Cricket in the Asian Games.

"I can also assure you that the ACC have been discussing accommodation options with AINAGOC for a long time. The participating teams in cricket are being offered hotel accommodation," Miyaji said.

At a recent Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, several major cricket-playing countries reportedly raised questions about the facilities and travel arrangements. India and Pakistan were among the full-member cricket boards want their officials to travel to Japan at the earliest opportunity and inspect the arrangements for players ahead of the Asian Games.

In particular, boards have questioned whether the rooms assigned to teams are spacious enough.

There were reports that the rooms may struggle to accommodate two players comfortably, especially when their cricket equipment, kitbags and personal luggage are taken into account. As a result, representatives from the full-member nations are seeking an on-ground assessment of the facilities before the tournament gets underway.

The designated accommodation is around 20 kilometres away from the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture, where the cricket matches will be played.

With the Asian Games scheduled to begin on September 17, Miyaji sought to ease concerns surrounding the arrangements. He also addressed reports suggesting that team washroom facilities would be situated as far as 500 metres from the cricket venue.

"Many other sports are being accommodated in much more limited facilities such as a cruise ship or container hotels. The teams are free to arrange their own accommodation if they chose to do so," he said.

"Please note that toilets will be available within the player area. There are both temporary and permanent facilities at the venue. The facilities on the ground are temporary, but AINAGOC have worked very closely with the ACC for over a year now to ensure that the best facilities are provided within the limited timeline and facility restrictions," Miyaji informed.

The Japan cricket CEO also said that players and officials will get comfortable space during the games.

"Despite being temporary, the facilities will provide as comfortable a space as possible for the players and officials. There are also permanent facilities around the ground which will be available to the players," he said.

Miyaji remained optimistic about the tournament and backed cricket to have a successful outing when it makes its appearance at the Asian Games in Japan.

"Cricket will be one of the largest sports in the Asian Games. It will also be the first time the top Cricket teams of Asia will be playing in Japan," said Miyaji.

India’s men’s cricket team will enter the Asian Games at the quarter-final stage, with Shreyas Iyer’s side set to play its opening match in Japan on September 28.

The women’s team will get its campaign underway much earlier, as Harmanpreet Kaur and company take on hosts Japan in their first game on September 18.

- Ends