Indian athletes have arrived in Japan ahead of the Asian Games 2026 but the start of their campaign has been overshadowed by a series of logistical and administrative difficulties.

The 20th Asian Games (officially Aichi-Nagoya 2026) are scheduled to take place from 19 September to 4 October in Aichi Prefecture and in Nagoya, Japan. India is sending a 503-member contingent with 269 men and 234 women.

Indian Contingent Faces Difficult Start

Some members of the Indian contingent reportedly had problems after reaching Japan. Athletes from disciplines such as rowing and shooting were affected by accommodation and accreditation-related issues.

It was reported that some rowers faced difficulties with their accommodation arrangements while accreditation-related discrepancies also created additional complications for athletes preparing for competition. A reported case of a shooter receiving incorrect accreditation has also raised concerns about coordination and athlete support at a time when competitors are trying to focus on training and adapt to the Japanese environment.

Accommodation Becomes a Major Talking Point

Accommodation has become one of the major logistical issues surrounding the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

In contrast to several previous editions, organizers did not construct a traditional Athletes' Village for the event. Participants are being accommodated at a combination of hotels, Airbnb properties, a cruise ship and temporary container-style accommodation. Reuters report that organizers were working to address complaints from athletes and officials about some of these arrangements. India's deputy chef de mission, Achanta Sharath Kamal, has also spoken about the unusual accommodation arrangements, stating that Indian athletes are prepared to adapt to the conditions and remain focused on competition.

Athletics Contingent Reports Additional Problems

The Indian athletics contingent also had difficulties during its early preparations in Japan.

Recent reports said that athletes faced long waits during hotel check-in while teams were split among different hotels located several kilometres from their training venue. There were also reports of breakfast arrangements not being in place for some athletes and a problem involving transport to a training session.

Such logistical issues can create additional pressure for athletes who are trying to maintain strict training, recovery and nutrition schedules before the start of competition.

India Enters the Asian Games With High Expectations

Despite the difficult start, India's athletes will enter the Asian Games with high expectations following the country's record performance at the Hangzhou 2022 Games.

India won 107 medals at Hangzhou 2022, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze medals. The Indian contingent will now look to build on that performance in Japan. The Indian government and Indian Olympic Association gave the contingent an official send-off in New Delhi on 8 September. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya encouraged the athletes to turn pressure into performance while IOA president P. T. Usha urged them to approach the competition with confidence.

Asian Games 2026 Schedule

• The Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on 19 September with competition continuing through to 4 October.
• The Aichi-Nagoya edition is expected to feature more than 11,000 athletes, making it one of the largest editions of the Asian Games. The competition will bring together athletes from across Asia in a wide range of sporting disciplines.
• For India, the immediate priority will be ensuring that athletes can move beyond the early logistical difficulties and focus fully on their respective competitions.
• With several medal contenders in shooting, athletics, badminton, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting, hockey and other sports, attention will now turn to India's performances once the Games officially begin.
• The problems encountered during the arrival phase may have created an unwanted distraction but India's athletes will be looking to put those issues behind them and focus on representing the country at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.