Representative image: Japan cricket team (Pic credit: JCA)

NEW DELHI: With concerns over accommodation and other logistical arrangements emerging ahead of cricket’s return to the Asian Games, Japan Cricket Association (JCA) CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji has sought to put the apprehensions into perspective, saying participating teams have been offered hotel accommodation but are free to make their own arrangements.At a recent Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, leading cricketing nations reportedly raised concerns over the accommodation arrangements, with the designated hotel located around 20km from the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture, where the cricket matches will be held.The Asian Games begin on September 17.

Japan Cricket CEO clarifies accommodation arrangements

Miyaji stressed that the JCA is playing a limited role in the event’s organisation.“The Asian Games is being organised by the organising committee Aichi-Nagoya Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) in collaboration with the ACC under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA),” Miyaji told PTI.“The JCA has provided support in some areas but is not directly involved so I am not able to directly answer all of your questions. What I can say is that all parties are working hard to ensure the success of Cricket in the Asian Games.“I can also assure you that the ACC have been discussing accommodation options with AINAGOC for a long time. The participating teams in cricket are being offered hotel accommodation,” he said.Miyaji also pointed out that cricket is not the only sport facing logistical constraints at the Games.“Many other sports are being accommodated in much more limited facilities such as a cruise ship or container hotels. The teams are free to arrange their own accommodation if they chose to do so,” he said.

‘Toilets will be available within the player area’

Miyaji also sought to allay concerns over reports that team washrooms could be located at least half a kilometre from the playing arena.“Please note that toilets will be available within the player area. There are both temporary and permanent facilities at the venue. The facilities on the ground are temporary, but AINAGOC have worked very closely with the ACC for over a year now to ensure that the best facilities are provided within the limited timeline and facility restrictions,” Miyaji said.He also addressed concerns over the makeshift dressing rooms being prepared for the tournament.“Despite being temporary, the facilities will provide as comfortable a space as possible for the players and officials. There are also permanent facilities around the ground which will be available to the players,” he said.

Korogi Sports Park built from scratch

Miyaji explained that organisers had only 17 months to prepare the venue, which had to be developed from scratch because Aichi Prefecture did not have an established cricket facility.“They only had 17 months to prepare and had to start from scratch as there were no Cricket venues of any standard in Aichi Prefecture. Considering the limited time and resources available, AINAGOC and ACC have worked together to ensure that the playing facilities are suitable,” he said.Sri Lanka Cricket has also provided curators to work on the turf and hybrid pitches.“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,” Miyaji said.“There are limits on what they can do within these tight limits, but from what I have seen, the playing surface and field will be the best seen in Cricket's inclusion in the Asian Games.”The JCA, meanwhile, has concentrated largely on building local interest in the sport.“We have taken cricket to many school and shopping centres which have received great enthusiasm. Thanks to the full support of Nisshin City, we are confident that the local community will be 100% behind the Asian Games.”Miyaji remained confident that cricket would make a strong impression when the continental event is staged in Japan.“Cricket will be one of the largest sports in the Asian Games. It will also be the first time the top Cricket teams of Asia will be playing in Japan,” he added.