Athletes criticise organisational, logistical mishaps at ‘sad’ Asian Games

Pakistan's volleyball captain Murad Jehan has harshly criticized the "unacceptable" conditions at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. His team faced significant logistical issues just before their match against Uzbekistan. The team bus was directed to the wrong gymnasium an hour prior to the game, leaving the players with no time for a proper warm-up and virtually no food.

Murad expressed his disappointment on Instagram, stating that Japan had tarnished the dignity and discipline of the Asian Games. He also alleged that athletes had consistently encountered problems with food, as hotel restaurants were often closed when the team returned from training, leaving them without meals. This same issue affected Indian athletes in Nagoya as well.

Pakistan started their men's volleyball campaign with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan. They won the first two sets but lost the third and won the fourth. Despite the challenges, they beat Uzbekistan 3-0 in their second pool match. Following this win, Pakistan now aims for the No.1 spot in the group stage, advancing to the quarterfinals.

This marks their first chance to win an Asian Games volleyball medal since the modern six-a-side format began. Their best result was a bronze medal in 1962, while they finished fifth in 2022. Pakistan entered the 2026 games with hopes of improving on these records, but Murad's comments have drawn attention to the conditions they faced off the court.