Thailand Raises Concerns Over Asian Games Accommodation and Transport
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Nagoya: Thailand has raised concerns about accommodation, transportation and other logistical arrangements at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, saying some members of its delegation have faced difficulties during the competition.
The concerns emerged during the first full week of the Games, which has brought together more than 17,000 athletes and officials from across Asia.
Thai Delegation Reports Accommodation Problems
Chalitrat Chandrubeksa, deputy secretary general of Thailand’s National Olympic Committee, said the availability of accommodation had not always matched the team’s requirements.
Organisers did not build a traditional athletes’ village for the Games. Instead, participants are being housed in hotels, temporary accommodation units and the Costa Serena cruise ship, which is docked at Nagoya port.
Chalitrat said Thailand required 201 beds on the cruise ship on one particularly busy day but was allocated 170.
He said some athletes discovered that their names were not included on accommodation lists when they arrived. Alternative rooms had to be arranged, while some athletes were later asked to move when other team members arrived.
The Thai official described the experience as similar to “musical chairs.”
Transportation Issues Reported
The delegation also raised concerns about transportation between accommodation facilities, training locations and competition venues.
According to Chalitrat, some buses arrived late, while others reportedly did not arrive as scheduled.
Thailand subsequently arranged additional vehicles to help transport members of its delegation, including medical staff.
The shortage of suitable accommodation also meant that some Thai personnel were staying outside central Nagoya. Chalitrat said the team’s medical staff were located around 90 minutes away, requiring additional transport arrangements.
He said the delegation had also made some accommodation bookings itself and paid certain food-related costs in advance.
Thousands Staying on Cruise Ship and Temporary Units
More than 4,000 people are staying aboard the cruise ship at Nagoya port, while another 2,000 are reportedly accommodated in temporary wooden units referred to by organisers as “villas.”
Some athletes have also raised concerns online about the quality of accommodation and food services.
The absence of a conventional athletes’ village was part of the organisers’ approach to managing the Games’ accommodation arrangements.
Organisers Respond to Complaints
Asian Games organising committee spokesman Hiroshi Koshizuka said organisers were continuously working to improve services for participating athletes and teams.
He said shuttle bus services had already been increased to respond to demand.
Koshizuka acknowledged that transportation problems had occurred but said they had not caused a significant disruption to the sporting programme.
According to the organising committee, no event had been delayed because of the transport issues.
Organisers have also established a system for receiving complaints from participating teams and said they would continue addressing concerns as the Games progress.
Asian Games Continue in Nagoya
Despite the logistical concerns raised by Thailand and other participants, sporting competitions across the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games programme are continuing.
Organisers are expected to remain focused on accommodation, transport and other support services as athletes and officials continue to participate in events across the host locations.
