Nagoya: Indian families living in Japan are on standby to accommodate the country’s athletes if housing shortages affect the Indian contingent during the 2026 Asian Games, offering a community based solution to challenges surrounding the event’s accommodation arrangements.
The Indian embassy has reportedly contacted around 2,000 families in Nagoya, with some prepared to welcome athletes into their homes if hotel rooms become unavailable. The offer is currently a contingency measure, as Indian officials have confirmed that athletes who have arrived already have accommodation.
Indian Families Prepare to Support Athletes
India’s chef de mission, Sahdev Yadav, said hotels had been booked for the country’s athletes, while Indian households remained available should additional accommodation be required.
Speaking to AFP, Yadav said Indian families were more than happy to welcome the athletes. His comments highlighted the willingness of the Indian community in Japan to support the national team during the international sporting event.
The proposed home-stay arrangement is not currently being used. Instead, it provides an alternative if official accommodation arrangements fail to meet the team’s needs.
India is sending nearly 500 athletes to the Asian Games, making accommodation an important logistical priority for its delegation.
Why the Asian Games Has Faced Housing Issues
The accommodation concerns are linked to the decision not to construct a traditional athletes’ village for the Nagoya-Aichi Games. Organisers have instead arranged rooms across hotels, temporary wooden container-style accommodation and a cruise ship.
The Costa Serena cruise ship is being used to house some participants, while other athletes are staying in temporary facilities. The overall arrangements are intended to accommodate approximately 17,000 athletes and officials attending the event.
However, reports have highlighted complaints from some participants about the temporary rooms. Issues include limited storage space for sports equipment and beds that are considered too small for athletes.
The unusual accommodation model has therefore become a talking point as delegations settle into their housing arrangements and prepare for competition.
Indian Contingent Encounters Arrival Problems
India’s team has also faced logistical difficulties following its arrival in Japan. Accommodation, accreditation and transportation issues reportedly affected members of the delegation.
Yadav said approximately 30 to 35 athletes were affected after their names were removed from the accommodation list. Badminton and shooting team members were among those affected, requiring the Indian contingent to arrange rooms at short notice.
The team booked 18 additional hotel rooms and planned to secure a further 10. Some Indian athletes were also moved from temporary huts into hotels as officials worked to address accommodation requirements.
The developments prompted the Indian team to explore additional options, including the potential support of Indian households in Nagoya.
Organisers Defend Alternative Accommodation
Organisers have defended the decision to use a combination of hotels, temporary facilities and a cruise ship instead of constructing a dedicated athletes’ village.
The approach was designed to reduce costs and avoid the possibility of a large sporting facility becoming underused after the Games. The Olympic Council of Asia has supported the decision, describing it as an effort to prevent expensive infrastructure from becoming a wasteful legacy.
Organisers have maintained that the accommodation is safe, cost-effective and comfortable. They have also stated that registered participants will be provided with housing.
Despite these assurances, reports of complaints have kept accommodation under scrutiny during the opening stages of the competition.
Indian Community Offers a Backup Plan
The reported involvement of Indian families reflects the role of the diaspora in supporting athletes abroad. By reaching out to households in Nagoya, the Indian embassy has helped establish a potential alternative if the official accommodation system experiences further pressure.
The arrangement could provide athletes with a familiar cultural environment while allowing the Indian delegation to respond to unexpected housing shortages. However, it remains unclear whether any athletes will ultimately need to use the home-stay option.
India is not the only delegation to have encountered logistical concerns. Reports have also indicated that teams from countries including South Korea, China, Qatar and Thailand, as well as the host nation Japan, faced challenges during the early stages of the event.
Asian Games Accommodation What Lies Ahead
The 2026 Asian Games began on September 19 and are scheduled to continue until September 29. As sporting events get underway, organisers and participating teams will continue managing accommodation, transportation and other operational requirements.
For India’s athletes, existing hotel bookings remain the primary accommodation arrangement, while the Indian community’s offer provides an additional option if circumstances change.
The willingness of approximately 2,000 families to assist demonstrates the support available through India’s overseas community. Whether the contingency plan is activated will depend on the availability of official accommodation and the needs of the Indian delegation as the Games progress.