The BCCI had urged the Indian Olympic Association to ensure single-occupancy rooms for players.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must choose between utilizing standard official housing or funding external logistics independently after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) refused to provide any special treatment for the cricket squads at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer stated that any alternative arrangement is strictly between the BCCI and the Games' Organising Committee (OC). The IOA insisted on ensuring equal treatment and welfare for all Indian athletes across all 36 participating sports, rather than granting special privileges to one sporting body.
If the cricket board opts out of the official organisers' hotels, it will have to manage and fund its players' accommodation, food, transport, and strictly ensure they arrive at the venues on time.
“BCCI CEO Hemang Amin got in touch with us (IOA), and we had a fruitful discussion. They are contemplating sending an advance team to Japan to assess the facilities. The IOA is completely fine with that. Based on their assessment, they can decide whether they want to use the organisers’ facilities or make their own arrangements,” Iyer told TOI.
He added: “It is for the BCCI and the organisers to work out the best solution. All sports, athletes, coaches and the entire delegation are treated equally by IOA.”
According to reports, the organisers have allotted the three-star APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae for the Indian men's cricket team and the four-star Meitetsu Grand Hotel for the women's side. Both arrangements involve twin-sharing rooms.
These facilities fall short of the five-star hotels Indian cricketers typically use. Reports have indicated that the BCCI has raised concerns about room sizes as well as the broader logistical arrangements.
Addressing the media, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia on Thursday (September 3) stated that there are no immediate, pressing concerns, but assured that the board is fully prepared to step in and establish its own infrastructure and high-quality amenities for the Indian cricket squads if required.
"There is no such issue that we have discussed or which has been on our agenda today or previously. So, we are not going to face any difficulties in Japan. If any situation arises, we will take an appropriate call at the right time to ensure that our players and support staff receive the best facilities at the Asian Games, whether from the organisers or otherwise.
"If required, the BCCI will have its own system in place to provide the best facilities to our players," Saikia told reporters after a review meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.
Following their double gold-medal victory at the Hangzhou 2022 Games, both the Indian men's and women's national cricket teams enter the continental event as defending champions. The women’s team will begin its campaign on September 17, while the men’s competition will start a week later.