Indians living in Japan on stand-by to house Asian Games athletes

NEW DELHI, September 19 — Indians residing in Japan are prepared to house the athletes from their country at the Asian Games, should the shortage of accommodation continue, officials reported today. The grand sporting event, which is set to kick off officially in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture tonight, has faced hurdles from the beginning.

In an effort to cut costs, Japan has decided against constructing an athletes’ village and opted for a mix of hotel rooms, temporary wooden container-style huts and a cruise ship for the competitors. However, many of the 17,000 athletes and officials arriving in Japan for the Games have expressed dissatisfaction with their temporary lodgings.

They claim that the rooms have inadequate storage space for their equipment and the beds are too small. Concerned about the well-being of the Indian athletes, India, which is sending nearly 500 participants to the Asian Games, has taken steps to ensure they have comfortable accommodation. Some Indian athletes have been moved from the huts into hotels, and contingency plans are in place in case the shortage of suitable rooms worsens as more participants and support staff arrive.

"We have booked hotels for our athletes here," Sahdev Yadav, India’s chef de mission at Asian Games and Treasurer of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), told AFP. "But if the hotel rooms fall short, then yes, we have Indian households here on standby to accommodate the athletes. "They are all more than happy to welcome the stars at their homes."

The Indian embassy in Japan has reportedly assisted in reaching out to approximately 2,000 families in Nagoya, some of whom are willing to accommodate the athletes. Organisers defended the unconventional accommodation arrangement, stating that it was safe, cost-effective, and comfortable, and urged Japan to be commended for attempting something unique.