NEW DELHI: A group of Indian athletes preparing for the 2026 Asian Games is still waiting for Japanese visas, creating a last-minute travel problem just days before the continental event begins in Aichi-Nagoya.
Eight athletes and two coaches are yet to receive travel clearance, according to reports cited by Gulf News and Indian media. The affected group includes several track-and-field competitors who were added to India’s squad after the initial team list was finalised.
Among the athletes publicly identified are high jumper Supriya B, pole vaulter Sindhushree G, hammer thrower Praveen Kumar, 200m runner Harita Bhadra, 400m runner Kiran Pahal, heptathlete Anamika K A and triple jumper Asha Ilango. Reports have not publicly identified the eighth athlete in the same level of detail.
The problem comes at a particularly sensitive point in the build-up to the Games. India’s athletics contingent has already begun travelling to Japan, while the athletes still awaiting visas remain in New Delhi.
Why the visa delay matters
The athletes were due to take part in a preparatory and acclimatisation camp at the University of Tsukuba, near Tokyo, before moving towards the main competition venues.
Arriving early allows athletes to adjust to Japan’s weather and time zone and complete final training before competition. The Athletics Federation of India has said the athletes affected by the delay could lose part of that preparation period if their travel documents are not cleared quickly.
Athletics competition at the Asian Games is scheduled to begin on September 23, giving the affected athletes only a narrow window to travel, settle in and prepare.
The wider Asian Games open on September 19 and run through October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya. The Indian contingent is competing across dozens of sports at the event.
Late additions created a separate paperwork process
The athletes caught in the visa problem were among the later additions to India’s athletics squad.
The Athletics Federation of India initially announced a 77-member athletics squad. Its published list includes Harita Bhadra, Kiran Pahal, Asha Ilango, Sindhushree G and Praveen Kumar, along with other established Indian competitors.
The additions followed changes to India’s Asian Games selection. The revised Indian contingent eventually grew to 503 athletes, with athletics among the largest disciplines represented.
Because the late additions were processed separately, their accreditation and associated documentation were completed later than those of athletes who had been on the original list. That has been linked to the current visa delays.
Athletes have already made repeated visits for clearance
Reports say the affected group has made multiple visits to the visa office in New Delhi over the past several days while waiting for the process to be completed.
One reported complication involves documentation required for visa processing, including letters connected with the Games’ organising arrangements. Officials involved with the Indian contingent are continuing to work on the issue, with hopes that clearance will arrive soon.
The delay is also affecting coaches and officials connected with the Indian contingent. A track-and-field coach is among those facing the issue, while reports have separately highlighted visa concerns involving personnel from other sporting disciplines.
India enters the Games with high medal expectations
The visa issue comes as India prepares for another strong Asian Games campaign.
At the previous edition in Hangzhou, India won a record 107 medals, including 28 gold, 39 silver and 41 bronze. Athletics was one of the country’s most successful sports, producing 29 medals.
India is again sending a sizeable athletics team to Japan, although the squad has also experienced changes because of injuries and other selection developments. Olympic and world championship medallist Neeraj Chopra, for example, withdrew from the Games because of injury and was replaced by javelin thrower Yash Vir Singh.
For the athletes still in New Delhi, the immediate priority is simpler: obtaining their visas and reaching Japan with enough time to prepare.
With the opening ceremony only days away, every lost day could reduce the time available for acclimatisation before competition begins.
What happened to the Indian athletes before the 2026 Asian Games?
Eight Indian athletes and two coaches are awaiting Japanese visa clearance, according to reports. The delay is keeping the affected group in New Delhi shortly before the Games begin.
Which Indian athletes are facing visa delays?
Publicly identified athletes include Supriya B, Sindhushree G, Praveen Kumar, Harita Bhadra, Kiran Pahal, Anamika K A and Asha Ilango. The eighth athlete has not been publicly identified in the reports reviewed.
When do the 2026 Asian Games begin?
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are scheduled to run from September 19 to October 4, 2026, in Japan.
Why are the visa delays a concern?
The affected athletes were scheduled to attend a preparatory camp at the University of Tsukuba. Delayed travel could reduce their acclimatisation and training time before competition.
When does athletics begin at the Asian Games?
The athletics programme is scheduled to begin on September 23, according to reports on India’s athletics preparations.
How many athletes is India sending to the Asian Games?
India’s revised contingent includes 503 athletes, according to the latest reported government-approved list.
How did India perform at the previous Asian Games?
India won a record 107 medals at Hangzhou, including 28 gold, 39 silver and 41 bronze.
