PT Usha, the IOA president, said that the first logistical issues faced by athletes at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya have been settled and now Team India is working to make sure that athletes are comfortable and confident.
Usha said problems in the first couple of days were part of the settling-in process and that arrangements had improved. She said the Indian contingent had sought alternative accommodation outside the Games village whenever required.
The Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya have faced some logistical problems in terms of accommodation and logistics, and athletes from several countries have reported problems with accommodation and transportation. Organisers have acknowledged the difficulties and said they are working to resolve them.
Usha said the Indian side had also taken steps from the moment athletes arrived in Japan. Players were provided snacks and basic amenities at the airport, while additional accommodation options were arranged when necessary.
#WATCH | Nagoya, Japan: On the issues in the arrangements at the Asian Games 2026, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha says, "Such issues happen everywhere during the first two days while things settle down, which was the case here as well. But everything is fine… pic.twitter.com/Oq45Uj4yxm
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2026
She also said Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya personally visited and emphasised that the needs of athletes should be prioritised. Usha said she had spoken to Indian athletes and asked what problems they were facing.
Usha said the athletes told her they were happy, the environment was great and they were confident in their campaigns.
She commented thus as India made a strong start to its medal campaign. Usha was especially proud of the performance of the Indian women’s cricket team, which had been participating in the Asian Games in the past and had been something she had personally supported in the coordination in Japan.
India’s women’s cricket team won the gold medal after defeating Sri Lanka in the final. The victory gave India its first gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games and continued the success of India after the gold medal-winning team at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Usha said she was especially pleased to see the women’s team get the gold medal. India had already been the champions and reached the final with a 114-run win over Bangladesh in the semi-final.
#WATCH | Nagoya, Japan: On Indian Women's Team Gold Medal, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha says, "We have just started. Over the last two days, our shooters did well. Although we could have won gold—which was a little bit of a disappointment—I have a lot of… https://t.co/iPFhZ9OHNr pic.twitter.com/sPetl1ABrW
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2026
She also expressed confidence in India’s shooters, and while some gold-medal opportunities had been missed, the country could still expect strong performances from the shooting contingent.
India has also won medals in other sports such as mixed martial arts. Usha said the MMA bronze medal performance was encouraging, though the athlete lost on a technicality.
Usha suggested patience and said India’s medal campaign had only started. She felt that as competition continues, gold medals would continue to come.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are being held from September 19 to October 4, and India is sending 503 athletes.
Usha's job is to keep Indian athletes comfortable and to give them time to concentrate on the competition. Her remarks also show the IOA’s attention to accommodation and logistics as India pursues gold medals in the most competitive of all sports.
