India’s multiple Olympic medallist PV Sindhu highlighted a punishing badminton schedule that required her to play three matches within 18 hours. “Three matches in 18 hours. Back at 3am, out again at 8:30am. It took a toll,” she posted on social media after her quarter-final exit.
Pakistan’s men’s volleyball team was taken to the wrong gymnasium an hour before their preliminary match, forcing players to change into their kits on the bus and leaving them without adequate warm-up time. Captain Murad Jehan described the situation as “really disappointing” and said athletes often returned from training to find hotel restaurants closed.
South Korea’s men’s basketball team missed a light practice session before their final after a shuttle bus failed to arrive. Similar transport problems affected the South Korean football team, who were once taken to a baseball ground instead of the correct stadium.
On Monday, heavy rain disrupted several sports. Both men’s cricket quarter-finals involving Pakistan-Hong Kong and India-Afghanistan were washed out, with Pakistan and India advancing to the semi-finals by virtue of their higher rankings. Afghanistan captain Mohammed Akram expressed frustration, saying the rain had “ruined everything.”
Tennis matches were postponed or moved, while surfing was called off early due to poor wave conditions. Typhoon Surigae is forecast to bring further strong winds and heavy rain later in the week.
Organisers have apologised for the logistical problems. Secretary-general Satoshi Murate acknowledged mistakes in accommodation and transport, partly caused by a late influx of around 2,000 additional athletes and officials. The Games did not build a traditional athletes’ village, with competitors housed in hotels, temporary wooden units and a cruise ship.
Indian badminton player HS Prannoy summed up the mood of many competitors, saying: “It was sad. It never felt like we were playing in an Asian Games, to be honest.”
Despite the difficulties, competition continues across multiple venues as the organisers work to improve services for the remainder of the Games.