SAI sets up container rooms in Patiala, Bengaluru to prepare athletes for Asian Games

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has set up makeshift container rooms at its centres in Patiala and Bengaluru to help Indian athletes prepare for the unusual accommodation arrangements at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games begin on September 19 and, unlike previous editions, will not have a conventional athletes' village. Athletes are expected to stay in accommodation including shipping containers and cruise facilities.

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The SAI has therefore introduced a simulation exercise in India, allowing athletes to spend a night inside container rooms before travelling to Japan. The aim is to help them adjust to the compact living arrangements and avoid accommodation becoming a distraction during the Games.

"Two years ago, when it was established that the accommodation at the Asian Games will be in a unique style -- containers, cruise etc. -- and not a village, at that time the Sports Minister's vision was that the players must be acclimatised in a similar way, like a simulator," Deputy Director General, SAI, Vineet Kumar told a select group of journalists at NSNIS, Patiala.

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"And they don't feel claustrophobic or feel what sort of accommodation we have come in. So they don't feel shocked or get a setback and they go and play the Games without any pressure," Kumar, who is also the Senior Executive Director, NSNIS, Patiala, added.

Athletes spend nights in simulated accommodation

The simulation exercise began on August 28. Around eight athletes have so far spent a night in the container at Patiala, with athletes following a roster and taking turns to experience the accommodation.

The two simulation rooms at Patiala, one for men and one for women, were prepared after a Ministry-SAI team visited Japan to assess the arrangements expected at the Games.

"We have made a roster and the athletes stay here turn by turn. They have to stay the night so that in the morning they know how to go about things," Kumar said.

The athletes stay overnight and resume their regular morning routine before heading for training. SAI plans to use the exercise to reduce the adjustment period once the athletes arrive in Japan.

Two-time Asian Games champion shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor said the compact room was different from what athletes are generally used to but found the experience useful.

"It looks small from outside but it's quite nice on the inside. All the facilities are here. This will be the first time that we stay in such a congested set-up but having stayed here it's good we are acclimatised," Toor told PTI.

"If we had directly gone to Japan, it would have stayed in our mind for one or two days," added the the six feet four inches tall two-time Asian Games gold medallist.

Kumar said addressing the psychological impact of an unfamiliar accommodation was also part of the exercise.

"The psychology of the athlete is such that if a logistical issue like this is there, it affects him. So the Minister's vision was that such a thing doesn't happen and the players can focus on their game," Kumar said.

Container rooms designed for athletes

The container unit is around 13 metres long and three metres wide. It has two twin-sharing bedroom areas at either end, connected by a narrow passage.

The rooms have split air-conditioners, a small laundry area with a washing machine and a kitchenette equipped with a refrigerator and sink. The bathroom has separate spaces for the wash basin, toilet and shower.

Four cabinets provide storage, while the space below the beds can be used to keep large kit bags and sporting equipment.

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist discus thrower Seema Kaliramna said adjusting to the limited space took some time.

"I stayed here for two nights. It was a bit difficult to adjust because throwers take a little more space and this is quite small. The second day was good, I was able to sleep properly. The life of an athlete has a lot of adjustment, then only they win something," she said.

She added that the simulation had helped remove uncertainty about the accommodation in Japan.

"Staying here will help as we won't feel claustrophobia. I am thankful to SAI for doing this. Now the fear of not knowing how the accommodation will be in Japan is gone. I feel better as we won't be thinking how it will be there and how we will feel," she said.

SAI said athletes had responded positively to the arrangements.

"The athletes have given a positive feedback. They feel like 'yeh jungle mei mangal kaise ho gaya'," Kumar said.

Containers to be reused after Asian Games

The two containers used for the simulation were already available at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in Patiala. They had previously been used during the COVID-19 pandemic to store equipment for weightlifting and athletics.

SAI plans to continue using the containers after the Asian Games. They are expected to be converted into guest houses, with two beds removed to create twin-sharing rooms.

(With inputs from PTI)