Asian Games 2026: Why athletes are accommodated in massive cruise ships this time ? Explained
PTC News Desk: A massive cruise ship will serve as accommodation for Indian and international athletes at the Asian Games 2026, ahead of the opening ceremony and the start of sporting events.
The ship, Costa Serena, has a gross tonnage of around 114,000 tonnes and is 290.2 metres long, according to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). It has 1,500 cabins and can accommodate up to 3,780 passengers.
The 20th Asian Games will not have a traditional Athletes’ Village. According to the OCA, athletes and officials will stay aboard the Costa Serena, in Asian Games accommodation at nearby Garden Pier, and in hotels across Nagoya City and Aichi Prefecture.
The 2026 Games have also faced reports of management and accommodation-related problems, with some athletes reportedly facing difficulties with their arrangements.
India sets up three-layer support system
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has introduced a three-layer management system to deal with logistical issues during the Games in Nagoya.
Around 2,000 members of the Indian diaspora have reportedly been kept on standby to provide accommodation to Indian athletes if needed.
The ministry said the arrangements were made after reports of mismanagement at the Games. Indian officials and members of the diaspora are coordinating to ensure that athletes do not face problems with accommodation, transportation or other logistical needs.
Earlier on Friday, India's chef de mission for the 2026 Asian Games, Sahdev Yadav, acknowledged initial accommodation, accreditation and transportation issues, while stressing that arrangements were being made to ensure the contingent's needs were met.
“Everyone has accommodation, and there is no problem from our side. There were some issues initially, which is why we booked an additional hotel. Our team is going directly to the airport. The accreditation process is quite lengthy and is being done on the cruise, so it is taking a lot of time. There are also some transportation issues, but we have made our own arrangements for cars and hotels for our players. We have already booked 18 rooms and will book another 10 today. There is definitely a shortage of accommodation," Yadav said.
Acknowledging the logistical shortcomings, Yadav said the focus remained on the athletes' comfort and preparations.
"There has been some mismanagement, but this is such a big event that anything can happen. However, we don't want to focus on who is at fault. Our priority is to look after our children; resolve all their problems and ensure they are comfortable and well taken care of. We want them to focus on their performance, win medals and then relax. That is our wish, and that is what we are working towards," he added.
- PTC NEWS
