Sports ministry reaches out to Indian diaspora in Japan amid Asian Games lodging crisis

NEW DELHI: With the accommodation crisis at the Asian Games showing little sign of easing, the sports ministry has reached out to the Indian diaspora in Nagoya for help in housing athletes if the shortage of rooms persists during the continental showpiece.“Sports ministry has formed a three layer plan to deal with the issue. First layer involves officials at the airport; second involves booking more rooms, and the third involves liasoning with the Indian diaspora. These activities are being done by officials of the sports ministry, the team on the ground, Sports Authority of India and the Chef de Mission (Sehdev Yadav),” said a source tracking developments.Several athletes, including members of the Indian contingent, have complained about delays in being allotted accommodation. With no dedicated athletes’ village, participants have been housed across container-style units, a docked cruise ship and hotels as organisers look to cut costs.Sahdev Yadav said on Friday that around 35 Indian athletes had already been moved to hotels after they failed to get their designated accommodation from the organisers. The situation could become more challenging as additional Indian athletes arrive in Nagoya according to their competition schedules.“The sports ministry has reached out to the Indian diaspora to be on standby to help with the accommodation of its athletes in case there is shortage of rooms for them during the course of the Asian Games,” a ministry official added.

A senior sports ministry official said the Indian Embassy had played a key role in reaching out to around 2,000 Indian families in Nagoya. Several families have offered assistance should the accommodation shortage worsen.The accommodation arrangements have come in for criticism from several participating countries, with South Korea among the most vocal in questioning the organisation of the Games.The OCA, however, has rejected the criticism, saying attempts were being made on social media to exploit the situation and politicise the event.Nearly 11,000 athletes are expected to compete across 43 sports at the Asian Games, which run until October 4.