Indian cricket’s governing body is confident that the preparations for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan have met the necessary standards, according to Vice-President Rajiv Shukla, who addressed concerns regarding accommodation and playing facilities.
India will commence its Asian Games campaign on September 22, and Shukla expressed optimism about the team’s performance in the tournament.
Speaking at the Asian Games send-off event on Tuesday, Shukla stated, “I think Team India will definitely do well. There is a match on 22nd September and it will be the first match. We are in Japan and it has been organised very well. We are participating in many games, and I hope that we will definitely win.”
Previous worries centered on players potentially having to share twin rooms due to a shortage of hotels in Nagoya. Shukla noted that the limited hospitality options created logistical hurdles, especially since Tokyo and Osaka are approximately an hour and a half away by bullet train.
Addressing the situation, Shukla remarked, “That was the problem because Nagoya hasn’t got many hotels. Tokyo is one and a half hours by bullet train, so is Osaka. But this is a family version game. All the participants are like family, so it doesn’t look like some stay in Tokyo and some stay in Osaka. So it has been decided that we live there.”
He acknowledged that while the lodging might not be luxurious, it would still provide adequate comfort, emphasizing that the primary focus remained on ensuring optimal playing conditions.
Regarding the sports venues, Shukla stated, “The main concern of ours was the ground and wickets and dressing rooms. They have addressed that, and now the dressing rooms are also fine and so are the other facilities at the ground.”
He noted that the BCCI delegation which had previously visited Japan was entirely satisfied with the infrastructure.
Reinforcing this, he explained, “Our team which has gone there, they are satisfied with the ground and the wickets which they have prepared, and dressing rooms also. So now everything is fine.”
Shukla also confirmed that the lodging arrangements are being coordinated jointly by the Indian Olympic Association, the Asian Games organizers, and the Japan Cricket Association.
