Naoki Alex Miyaji, Chief Executive Officer of the Japan Cricket Association (JCA), confirmed on Wednesday, 2 September that all participating teams in the Asian Games cricket event are being offered hotel accommodation, pushing back against concerns raised by several top Asian sides over facilities and room sizes for the tournament running from 19 September to 3 October. The reassurance comes after questions emerged last week about the adequacy of arrangements for both the men's and women's T20 competitions.

Background to the Concerns

Multiple top Asian cricket teams had reportedly raised objections over accommodation arrangements — particularly room sizes — ahead of the T20 event. The scrutiny intensified given that cricket is being staged in Aichi Prefecture, a region with limited cricket infrastructure, and that organisers had only 17 months to prepare from scratch.

Miyaji was careful to distinguish the JCA's role from that of the core organising body. 'The Asian Games is being organised by the organising committee (AINAGOC) in collaboration with the ACC under the OCA. The JCA has provided support in some areas but is not directly involved with it,' he said.

Hotel Accommodation Confirmed

Miyaji confirmed that cricket teams have been allocated hotel rooms, a step up from the arrangements offered to athletes in several other sports. 'Many other sports are being accommodated in much more limited facilities such as cruise ships or container hotels. The teams are free to arrange their own accommodation if they choose to do so,' he said. The statement signals that while constraints exist, cricket has been prioritised within the broader Games infrastructure.

Venue: A Baseball Ground Transformed

Fixtures will be held at Korogi Sports Park, a newly developed ground located a 40-minute train ride from central Nagoya. The venue was previously a baseball facility. Pitches are being prepared by curators who manage the surfaces at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka — a detail Miyaji highlighted as a mark of quality.

'It will be a full size ground with turf and hybrid pitches prepared by the best curators, which Sri Lanka Cricket should be credited for providing,' he said. While some facilities at the ground are temporary, Miyaji assured that player amenities — including toilets within the player area — and permanent structures around the ground will be accessible to teams and officials.

Community Engagement and Broader Significance

Beyond logistics, the JCA has been working to build local enthusiasm for the sport. Miyaji said the association has taken cricket to schools and shopping centres in Nissin City, drawing what he described as 'great enthusiasm.' He expressed confidence that the local community would be fully behind the Games.

Notably, this edition of the Asian Games will mark the first time the top cricket nations of Asia compete on Japanese soil. Miyaji called it a significant milestone: 'Cricket will be one of the largest sports in the AGs. It will also be the first time the top cricket teams of Asia will be playing in Japan.' He added that the event is expected to attract new audiences to the sport in the country.

What to Watch

With the tournament less than three weeks away, attention will remain on whether the temporary facilities at Korogi Sports Park meet international standards on matchday. The involvement of Sri Lankan pitch curators and the confirmation of hotel accommodation for teams are positive signals, but on-ground delivery will be the ultimate test of the 17-month preparation sprint.