India’s athletics contingent has encountered a series of logistical difficulties after arriving in Japan for the 2026 Asian Games, with the men’s squad reportedly going without breakfast on Monday after the meal had not been booked at their hotel.
The incident was reported by The Times of India, which cited sources familiar with the team’s arrangements. According to the report, the athletes had also waited more than four hours for hotel check-in after arriving on Sunday and later faced a problem with transport to a training session.
The athletics contingent is based around Tsukuba, where Indian athletes are using the University of Tsukuba facilities for their final preparations. The men’s and women’s squads, along with coaches, have reportedly been divided among three hotels located more than four kilometres from the training facility.
Breakfast booking issue affects men’s squad
According to the report, hotel staff told the Indian men’s athletics team on Monday that no breakfast had been booked for the athletes. As a result, several members of the squad reportedly had to find food elsewhere, while others went without breakfast.
The issue was attributed by sources cited by The Times of India to a communication or planning problem surrounding the team’s arrangements. The report also said that athletes had to travel several kilometres for lunch and dinner.
The report further stated that the hotel’s breakfast offering included rice and soybeans, while meals at an Indian restaurant included items such as rice, roti and chicken. It also reported that athletes did not have access to a specialised diet or a regular supply of fruit.
These details have not been independently confirmed by an official statement from the Athletics Federation of India or the Indian Sports Ministry in the sources reviewed for this article. They should therefore be treated as reported information rather than an official account.
Training transport adds to the difficulties
The accommodation arrangements have also created transportation challenges. According to the report, the designated bus did not arrive for one of the athletes’ training sessions on Monday evening.
For athletes preparing for a major multi-sport competition, reliable access to training facilities is particularly important during the final preparation period. The Indian contingent is using the University of Tsukuba area as a training base before competition begins.
Murali Sreeshankar, who has already been training at the University of Tsukuba, said earlier this month that he was using the Japan camp to fine-tune his preparation for the Asian Games.
Asian Games organisers face wider accommodation challenge
The difficulties reported by India’s athletics team come as organisers of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games deal with a broader accommodation challenge.
Unlike several previous editions, the 2026 Games do not have a conventional central Athletes’ Village. Participants are being accommodated through a combination of hotels, other facilities and a cruise ship. Reuters reported on September 15 that organisers had pledged to address complaints from athletes and officials over living arrangements.
The Italian cruise ship Costa Serena has been brought into the accommodation plan and is expected to house thousands of athletes and officials. Organisers have also established a resident centre to handle accommodation-related concerns.
The accommodation situation has been complicated further by unusually heavy rainfall in parts of Japan. Earlier in September, around 400 athletes and staff were temporarily evacuated from accommodation facilities during severe flooding in the Nagoya area. The city authorities said the Games schedule would continue as planned.
India prepares for Aichi-Nagoya 2026
The 20th Asian Games are scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The official organising committee lists 43 sports and 54 venues for the Games.
India is sending 492 athletes to the competition, according to the Olympic Council of Asia. Athletics is the country’s largest sporting contingent, with 73 athletes — 35 men and 38 women.
India won 107 medals at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, including 28 gold medals. The country will enter the Aichi-Nagoya Games seeking another strong campaign across athletics, shooting, badminton, boxing, wrestling and several team sports.
For the athletics squad, however, attention in the immediate term remains on training and preparation. Resolving accommodation, food and transport arrangements will be important as athletes move into the final days before competition.
The Indian Sports Ministry has previously said preparations for the Asian Games were being closely reviewed, with more than 700 Indian athletes originally expected to compete across more than 40 disciplines before the final contingent was approved.
Q1. What happened to Indian athletes ahead of the 2026 Asian Games?
India’s athletics contingent reportedly faced several logistical problems in Japan, including delayed hotel check-in, a missed breakfast booking and a transport issue involving a training session.
Q2. Why did some Indian athletes miss breakfast?
According to a Times of India report citing sources, breakfast had not been booked for the men’s athletics squad at their hotel.
Q3. Where are India’s athletes training in Japan?
The athletics contingent is using facilities around the University of Tsukuba in Tsukuba for its preparations.
Q4. Are Indian athletes staying in one Athletes’ Village?
The 2026 Asian Games do not have a conventional central Athletes’ Village. Participants are being accommodated across different facilities, including hotels and a cruise ship.
Q5. When are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are scheduled from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
Q6. How many Indian athletes are competing at the Asian Games?
The Olympic Council of Asia says India will send 492 athletes: 265 men and 227 women.
Q7. How large is India’s athletics contingent?
Athletics is India’s largest delegation, with 73 athletes — 35 men and 38 women.
