“We Need To Be Practical” OCA Director General Defends Japan’s Decision Of No ‘Athlete Village’ In Asian Games

Nagoya, September 18: Following a chaotic start to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the Olympic Council of Asia Director General Husain Al Musallam said that the next two Asian Games in Doha and Riyadh will have a dedicated Athletes' Village.

The Aichi-Nagoya Games, which open tomorrow, have drawn heavy criticism for accommodation chaos as athletes and officials have been scrambling to get rooms at the container-style huts and a docked cruise ship along with limited hotel rooms.

While speaking during a press conference ahead of the start of the Asian Games, Musallam, however, defended the logic behind Japan's decision not to have a village on the grounds of cost and sustainability. The OCA Director further said that the scale of the Asian Games is massive, with 17,000-plus athletes and support staff, along with another 5,000 technical directors who need to be accommodated. "Asian Games cannot be compared with events of any other continental federations," the Kuwaiti said.

Asked whether an Athletes' Village could have avoided the accommodation controversy, Musallam said that while such a facility would be desirable, organisers must also consider costs and its long-term use. "First of all, we wish we had an Athletes Village, but we also have to be flexible. We also have to think about the cost of the Games."

He added that future planning should focus on the legacy of such infrastructure. "Yes, an Athletes Village with a five-star (rating) is good, but at the end of the day we need to be practical."

Ikram noted that Doha 2030 and Riyadh 2034 will have Athletes' Villages, while stressing the importance of ensuring their long-term utility.

On the growing number of athletes and sports at the Asian Games, he backed continued expansion. "I am supportive of the increase in the number of athletes, not decreasing the number of athletes to support the sport."