The India-Pakistan men’s cricket final and hockey semifinal became the most-watched matches in Asian Games history, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said on Sunday.
The OCA also highlighted 212 Asian Games records broken during the Aichi-Nagoya edition, saying athletes were provided with the “best environment” to compete.
India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in the men’s hockey semifinal at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara. The Indian team subsequently secured the gold medal after beating Malaysia in the final.
In cricket, India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s final to claim the gold medal.
India-Pakistan Matches Break Viewership Record
Tayyab Ikram, President of the OCA Coordination Committee, said the two India-Pakistan encounters drew unprecedented attention.
“The broadcast had the biggest viewership ever for the Games. Thanks to two big matches: yesterday, the Pakistan-India cricket match was the most-viewed match, and the day before (on Thursday), the Pakistan-India hockey match was the most-viewed match ever in the Games’ history,” Ikram said at a press conference.
However, he did not disclose specific viewership figures or clarify which of the two matches attracted the larger audience.
Ikram also highlighted the Games’ focus on athlete safety and safeguarding.
“For the very first time, the OCA demonstrated a safeguarding principle in these Games. From all aspects it was a safe Games — for athletes, for Asian federations and for the National Olympic Committees.”
212 Asian Games Records Broken
OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam said the Aichi-Nagoya edition witnessed a remarkable number of new records, including 54 world records, 11 junior world records, 89 Asian records and 212 Asian Games records.
“This achievement does not come without the best environment the organising committee created for the athletes.
“The athletes cannot perform if they don’t sleep well, don’t eat well and don’t have good transportation. We are happy to see that there is no big financial burden on the organising committee, and there is no white elephant left staying in Nagoya or anywhere.”
Al-Musallam acknowledged that the organisers faced difficulties but praised their efforts in delivering the event.
“Yes, the organising committee had challenges. But our duty and responsibility as leaders was to work hard with the organising committee to help Japan demonstrate to the world that Japan can deliver, with all the challenges, the best Games: the best environment for the athletes, the best coordination, the best peaceful (event).”
OCA Reports 19% Rise in Marketing and Sponsorship
Al-Musallam also pointed to the commercial success of the Games, saying the OCA’s marketing and sponsorship revenue had increased compared with the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
“In these Games, the OCA marketing and sponsorship did 19 per cent more than the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023. This is because the sponsors, the partners, the TV rights holders and all the different digital platforms trust in Asian Games. This is because the Asian people are united in sport.”
The OCA said the strong viewership, record-breaking performances and commercial growth marked the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as a successful edition of the continental sporting event.