Asian Games chaos: Indian rowers in Japan left without rooms, players wait hours at airport without food while equestrian team had to pay from own pocket to feed horses

Japan’s reputation for organisational efficiency came under scrutiny as India’s rowing, shooting and equestrian contingents faced a series of unexpected problems upon arrival for the Asian Games, reported TOI.

Rowers left without accommodation, oars delayed

A large section of the rowing squad was left without accommodation, while the names of some athletes were reportedly missing from the accreditation system.

“Only three of the 22 men’s athletes have accommodation against their names. And the names of three of the five women rowers (Poonam, Aleena Anto and Anshika Bharati) are not registered with the hosts even though they all have valid accreditation,” an official from the Rowing Federation of India (RFI) said.


The rowers’ troubles began even before they reached Japan. One of the groups that departed from Mumbai on Tuesday night was reportedly told by Cathay Pacific that its oars could not be checked in as baggage. The oars were subsequently flown to Delhi and are expected to reach Nagoya on Thursday morning, just before the team’s first official practice session.

The contingent also received late communication from the Sports Authority of India that women’s coach Ratheesh Kumar and team manager Ramakrishnan Ramachandran would have to make their own arrangements for accommodation.

Shooters wait hours for transport after Nagoya arrival

The shooting contingent faced its own difficulties after arriving at Nagoya airport at around 9 pm on Tuesday. The team reportedly waited nearly three hours for transport before reaching their hotel around 4 am.

“We didn’t get the bus and there was no food. Everything was closed at the airport. The welcome centre had no information, so we had to wait and reach the hotel around 4 am,” a team member told TOI.

Samaresh Jung gets incorrect accreditation

India’s pistol shooting head coach Samaresh Jung also encountered an accreditation issue after discovering that his credentials did not permit him to enter the players’ arena or the field of play during competitions.

“It was a shock when we saw Samaresh’s accreditation. When we enquired, we were told that this was done according to the list the organisers had received from the Indian Olympic Association,” a source said.

The issue was subsequently raised with the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), which was told that Jung would receive corrected accreditation the following day.

“We contacted our office at the National Rifle Association of India, and the issue was taken up. We are told that Samaresh will be getting the new accreditation tomorrow,” the source said.

Jung’s accreditation issue was a concern for the Indian shooting team, given that several of the country’s 10m air pistol shooters, including Suruchi Phogat and Akash Bhardwaj, have trained under him.

Equestrian riders asked to pay for horse feed

Indian equestrian riders preparing for the Asian Games have also been asked to arrange and initially pay for hay, bedding and fodder for their horses, with the Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad-hoc committee citing a shortage of government funds.

Government funds reportedly insufficient

An email accessed by TOI and signed by Lt Col Sandeep Dewan, member (administration) of the ad-hoc panel and team leader of the equestrian contingent, said funds released to the national federation had been insufficient even to clear the bill of transporter Peden Bloodstock. The federation had reportedly covered the shortfall from its own funds.

“We regret to inform you that the govt has so far not released any funds for payment of feed and other expenses related to the maintenance of the horses whilst in Japan,” Dewan wrote.

The riders have been asked to purchase feed and other stable requirements directly and seek reimbursement later.

Riders also await reimbursement for Germany expenses

The financial burden has also extended to expenses incurred before the Asian Games. Riders said they had personally paid for food, travel, accommodation and fees during their horses’ mandatory quarantine in Germany.

Reimbursements for pre-quarantine tests, blood and swab tests, horse transportation, athlete accommodation and groom accommodation are also reportedly pending.

“Timely support on these essential matters is extremely important for us to focus completely on our performance in the Asian Games,” a rider told TOI on Wednesday.