Nagoya: The accommodation troubles surrounding the Indian contingent at the Asian Games 2026 have taken another bizarre turn, with gymnast Pranati Nayak and her male coach Ashok Mishra initially assigned the same room on the cruise ship being used to house participants.
The unusual room allocation came to light when the gymnast and coach checked in on Thursday. Concerned over the mixed-gender accommodation, they immediately approached officials and sought a separate room.
But what followed was hours of confusion as efforts to resolve the issue continued late into the night. The Indian Olympic Association eventually intervened, and alternative accommodation was arranged at around 1:30 am.
Even then, the chaos did not end.
When Mishra went to collect the key to his separate room, hotel staff could not locate his booking in their records. The problem was eventually traced to a simple paperwork error, with the letter “I” missing from his name in the system.
Staff had to verify his accreditation and correct the records, adding another 45 minutes to the ordeal. The coach finally managed to get into his room after 2 am.
Nayak confirmed that the accommodation mix-up had taken place and was resolved around 2 am.
The episode adds to growing reports of logistical difficulties faced by members of the Indian contingent since their arrival in Japan. Athletes have reportedly encountered delays in room allotments, while concerns have also emerged over training access and nutrition arrangements.
The Indian kabaddi contingent has faced similar accommodation confusion and delayed check-ins, adding to the list of organisational problems surrounding the Games.
With competitions underway, Indian athletes and support staff will now hope that the accommodation troubles and administrative mix-ups are brought under control, allowing them to focus entirely on their sporting commitments.