Asian Games Open in Japan Amid Organisational Challenges

NAGOYA: (Sports Desk) – The 20th Asian Games will officially open in Japan later Saturday with a colourful opening ceremony, marking the start of a major multi-sport event that has attracted more participants than the Olympics.

The first gold medal is expected to be decided on Sunday morning, most likely in the men’s individual triathlon. A total of 469 gold medals will be contested across 45 sports before the Games conclude on October 4.

The competition will also offer Olympic qualification opportunities in several sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, preparations for the Games have been affected by a number of organisational and weather-related challenges.

Around 17,000 athletes and officials are taking part, creating significant logistical pressure for organisers. Unlike previous editions, the Games do not have a traditional athletes’ village. Participants are instead being accommodated in temporary container-style facilities, hotels and the cruise ship Costa Serena.

Nagoya was hit by record rainfall last week, causing flooding in several areas, while a typhoon approaching eastern Japan could create further disruption during the opening days of the competition.

Some athletes were reportedly stranded at the airport after transport failed to arrive, while several teams raised concerns about the temporary accommodation, including complaints that some of the beds were too short.

Weather forecasters have warned that the approaching typhoon could reach Japan’s main island, where Nagoya is located, on Sunday or Monday.

Despite the difficulties, organisers have described the 20th edition of the Games, first held in 1951, as an event that will be “the most spectacular for generations.”

Basketball, football and cricket competitions have already begun, ahead of the formal opening ceremony.

Traditional Olympic sports such as athletics and swimming will feature alongside popular Asian disciplines including sepak takraw and kabaddi.

The organisers are also targeting younger audiences by including eSports, breakdancing and BMX cycling. Padel and mixed martial arts will make their Asian Games debuts.

Young stars in spotlight

Several high-profile athletes are expected to attract attention during the Games, including Philippine tennis star Alexandra Eala, 15-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and 13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi.

Yu will begin her campaign in the pool on Sunday, competing in the heats of the women’s 200-metre butterfly.

Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting will also compete, two years after winning Olympic gold in Paris amid a major controversy over her eligibility.

Hosts Japan will look to several Olympic champions for medals, with gymnast Shinnosuke Oka and javelin thrower Haruka Kitaguchi included in the Japanese squad.

North Korea is sending more than 100 athletes across 14 sports, with the delegation expressing its ambition to “bring joy to Marshal Kim Jong Un.”

China will once again be expected to mount a strong challenge at the top of the medal standings after dominating the delayed 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where it won 201 gold medals and 383 medals overall.

The Chinese delegation includes more than 800 athletes, among them 36 Olympic champions.

Sooryavanshi will also feature for India’s cricket team, which is seeking a strong showing ahead of cricket’s return to the Olympic programme at the 2028 Los Angeles Games following a 128-year absence.

A potential India-Pakistan final could add further excitement to the cricket competition at Nagoya’s newly built purpose-designed cricket venue, although forecast rain could affect the schedule.