NSC prepares contingency plan for Asian Games accommodation

Malaysia's National Sports Council (NSC) is preparing contingency plans for the accommodation of 16 members of the country's archery team for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The NSC, working alongside the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), is taking steps to ensure the team's preparations remain unaffected despite the accommodation issue.

The NSC has pre-booked 11 rooms at a different hotel, ready to cover the costs of accommodation and transportation if the game organizers fail to confirm the team's rooms upon arrival. This proactive measure aims to prevent any disruption to the athletes' focus.

In a related development, the NSC resolved an accommodation problem involving five national karate athletes, who were initially not allocated rooms at the official hotel. The NSC secretariat covered the cost of additional rooms to ensure the athletes' stay. Other sports teams like women's basketball, women's cricket, equestrian, and men's and women's hockey teams have already arrived in Aichi, Nagoya, and Tokyo, with the NSC and OCM monitoring transport issues.

To address transport concerns, the NSC has identified alternative service providers that can be chartered for the athletes if needed. Additionally, the NSC and OCM have ensured that all meals served to Malaysian athletes at the Games Village and official hotels are halal-certified. The secretariat has also packed ready-to-eat food for athletes as a precautionary measure, minimizing the risk of food poisoning.

Given recent heavy rain in Aichi and Nagoya, every Malaysian athlete has been provided with a raincoat. The NSC has also prepared additional safety standard operating procedures, building upon those provided by the organizers. Athletes are encouraged to report promptly any issues that may disrupt their preparation or focus, so the secretariat can raise concerns with the organizers and seek solutions.