IOA Turns Down BCCI's Plea for Special Lodging at Asian Games

When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked for a private block of rooms for its players at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya, the Indian Olympic Association didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet. In a statement to the press, IOA chief Raghuram Iyer said the request had been turned down, and that any special set‑up would have to be funded and organised entirely by the cricket board.

"If BCCI wants its own accommodation, it must take full responsibility – food, transport, timing – everything," Iyer explained, noting that the IOA will not intervene. He added that the cricket administrators are free to scout hotels on their own, and the decision will rest squarely on their shoulders.

At present, the Games’ organisers have earmarked two hotels for the Indian contingent. The men’s team will stay at the three‑star APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae, while the women’s squad – led by Harmanpreet Kaur – will be housed at the four‑star Meitetsu Grand Hotel. Both properties will offer twin‑sharing rooms, a far cry from the five‑star venues the players usually enjoy on tours.

Understandably, the downgrade has sparked a few raised eyebrows. "We’re used to five‑star comforts, so twin rooms in a three‑star place feels a bit off," an unnamed senior player was quoted as saying, half‑jokingly. Yet the IOA stressed that the core aim is to keep all Indian athletes on an even playing field, regardless of sport.

To iron out the details, the BCCI is sending an advance team to Japan early next week. Their mission: walk the hotel corridors, test the cricket venue, and decide whether to stick with the organiser’s facilities or roll out a bespoke setup. "It’s the right thing to do – assess before committing," Iyer added, emphasizing that athlete welfare and smooth logistics are paramount.

In the meantime, the women’s team will fly out from Dubai on September 14, after a whirlwind Asia Cup campaign, and their games kick off on September 17. Whether they’ll end up sharing a modest hotel room or a private suite remains to be seen, but the BCCI’s next move will likely set the tone for how cricket navigates multi‑sport events in the future.