‘All are treated equally by us’ – IOA draws line on special treatment for cricket players at Asian Games

IOA draws line on special treatment for cricket players at Asian Games (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

The Indian Olympic Association has made clear that it will not arrange separate accommodations for cricket players at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya. The decision reflects IOA’s commitment to treating all 36 sports and their athletes equally during the multi-sport event.

Men’s cricket has been allocated the three-star APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae, while the women’s team will stay at the four-star Meitetsu Grand Hotel, both below the five-star standard Indian cricketers typically enjoy, with twin-sharing room assignments.

IOA’s uniform accommodation policy

IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer outlined the organisation’s position on the accommodation matter. According to Iyer, the BCCI approached the IOA with concerns about the allocated facilities. The IOA responded by clarifying its policy while remaining open to the board’s independent choices.

“BCCI CEO Hemang Amin got in touch with us (IOA), and we had a fruitful discussion. They are contemplating sending an advance team to Japan to assess the facilities. The IOA is completely fine with that.” Iyer was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

“Based on their assessment, they can decide whether they want to use the organisers’ facilities or make their own arrangements. It is for the BCCI and the organisers to work out the best solution. All sports, athletes, coaches and the entire delegation are treated equally by IOA,” he added.

The IOA CEO explained that if the BCCI opts for separate accommodation outside the official hotels, the board would bear full responsibility for accommodation, food, transport and ensuring timely player arrival at venues. This arrangement would not place cricketers outside the Games system; the BCCI must communicate its decision through the IOA to the organisers, and all Games-related security, accreditation and access protocols would continue to apply.

BCCI’s independent assessment and options

Iyer emphasised the IOA’s broader mandate across the Indian contingent.

“The IOA has to ensure equal treatment and the welfare of the entire Indian contingent across 36 sports,” he stated.

This principle underpins the decision to maintain uniform accommodation policies rather than grant exceptions to individual sports.

The BCCI advance team is scheduled to travel to Japan early in the week of September 8, 2026, to inspect the allocated hotels, the cricket venue at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, and other facilities. The board’s final decision on accommodation will depend on this assessment.

The women’s team returns from the Asia Cup in Dubai on September 13, 2026, and is scheduled to fly to Nagoya on September 14, 2026. Their Asian Games campaign begins directly in the quarterfinals on September 18, 2026, concluding on September 22, 2026.

The men’s team, led by Shreyas Iyer, departs for Japan on September 21, 2026, and enters directly at the quarterfinal stage, with their campaign running from September 28 to October 4, 2026.

Aichi-Nagoya faces considerable accommodation pressure, with athlete and coach numbers expected to rise to approximately 17,000 from the original planning figure of 15,000. Organisers have supplemented existing hotels with mobile accommodation and the Costa Serena cruise ship to manage demand. Against this backdrop, the IOA’s uniform policy reflects the practical constraints facing all sports.

Logistical and anti-doping considerations

If the BCCI arranges separate accommodation, anti-doping protocols require that dope-control officers from the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Testing Agency be informed of player locations for random testing purposes. This requirement ensures compliance with global anti-doping standards regardless of where teams stay.

“The BCCI is taking care of its athletes, and sending an advance team is the right way to assess the facilities before making a decision. We are completely for the well-being of the athletes. Our objective is that the entire Indian delegation has a comfortable stay and a wonderful experience in Japan,” Iyer continued.

The women’s team is captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, while the men’s team will also feature in a bilateral T20 International against Japan on September 22, 2026, as part of the Suzuki Cup marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. This match will provide valuable practice ahead of the Asian Games competition.