(Asiad) S. Korea wins gold in esports fighting games at Asian Games

NAGOYA, September 26 — Asian Games organizers admitted on Saturday that they were not satisfied with ticket sales, as they witnessed numerous empty seats at the main stadium and other venues in Japan. The 100m sprints, a highlight of any Games, were attended by only about one-quarter of Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium's 30,000-capacity audience on Friday night.

Despite the prospect of a women's pole vault gold for Japan’s Misaki Morota, home fans did not turn out in large numbers at the weekend's start. The Aichi-Nagoya Games stated that less than 60% of tickets had been sold for eight sports, including football, with a similar amount remaining unsold for the closing ceremony in eight days.

Satoshi Murate, secretary-general of the Games organizing committee, acknowledged their dissatisfaction, stating, "We are not satisfied." He assured that they would continue aiming for full stadiums and selling tickets, while ensuring attendees actually arrived. He explained that more than 90% of tickets were sold for the opening ceremony a week earlier, but no-shows led to large sections of empty seats at various competitions.

Murate cited several reasons for the empty seats, such as matches being played in the same day and ticket giveaways to Games stakeholders, which were not always utilized. He also apologized for mix-ups with accommodation and transport. Several teams, including Thailand and South Korea, criticized the organizers, with Thailand calling it a "chaotic" game of "musical chairs" and South Korea deeming them deserving of a failing grade.

The main issue was a shortage of rooms for the 17,000 participants, exacerbated by airport delays and long waits to board a cruise ship serving as a floating hotel. Traditional athletes' village has been absent, instead opting for temporary container-style huts, hotels, and the Costa Serena cruise ship. Erratic transport services saw buses to training and venues arriving late or not at all.

Murate admitted these mistakes and expressed sincere apologies, vowing to identify the causes and prevent their recurrence.