Sharath Kamal Backs India Athletes Ahead of Unique Asian Games Stay
Sharath Kamal says Indian athletes are prepared to adapt to container, cruise-ship and hotel accommodation at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
India’s deputy chef-de-mission A Sharath Kamal has said the country’s athletes are prepared to adapt to the unusual accommodation arrangements at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. India’s 501 athletes and 265 officials will be distributed across converted shipping containers, a cruise ship and hotels.
Sharath said athletes had been given prior exposure to container-style accommodation through facilities created at Sports Authority of India campuses. Similar preparations were made to familiarise them with cruise-ship living. He expects athletes to adjust quickly once they arrive in Japan.
Around 4,000 to 5,000 athletes will stay aboard the Costa Serena cruise liner at Nagoya Port, while about 2,000 will be housed in converted shipping-container units at Garden Pier in Nagoya Bay. Other participants will stay at commercial hotels near competition venues, with some events taking place outside Aichi.
The accommodation model has attracted concerns from some participating contingents, including South Korea, which reportedly raised issues about room sizes. Members of the Asian Cricket Council have also questioned aspects of the arrangements.
Sharath acknowledged that officials may face a different adjustment because they did not receive the same preparation for container accommodation. However, he stressed that athletes should remain focused on competition rather than their living arrangements.
India will have several medal contenders, including Olympic champions and medallists such as Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker, PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu. Shooting, athletics, badminton, wrestling, archery, weightlifting, hockey and cricket are among the key disciplines for India.
The Asian Games are scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
