Indian shooters endure severe logistical chaos before Nagoya Games
Indian marksmen walked into a logistical disaster upon landing in Japan for the 2026 Asian Games. Organisers at the Aichi-Nagoya event failed to provide proper accommodation and transport for the 35-member shooting contingent. Athletes faced extreme delays and shocking mismanagement right from their arrival on September 15. Japan has hosted major sporting events flawlessly in the past, making this administrative breakdown particularly surprising.
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Nightmarish arrival for athletes
Customs and accreditation went smoothly by 11:00 pm, but coaches and shooters were left completely stranded afterward. Transport finally reached the venue at 3:00 am. The delegation arrived at their designated hotel half an hour later, only to find that just seven rooms were available instead of the 40 confirmed pre-bookings. Officials directed the remaining athletes to a separate Toyoko Inn property.
IOA forces emergency solutions
Indian Olympic Association officials quickly intervened to secure emergency lodging. They arranged 18 total rooms split between two properties located 400 metres apart. Since the initial transport had already left, male shooters had to drag heavy equipment and suitcases along public roads to help their female teammates. Check-in procedures finally concluded around 5:30 am, leaving the squad exhausted.
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Room mix-ups continued when five more team members landed. Coaches discovered that Rahi Sarnobat’s confirmed room at the Grand Tiara Hotel had been reassigned for doping control. She eventually checked into a different Toyoko Inn branch without anyone catching the error. Transport problems also ruined their September 17 practice plans. Organisers sent just one bus for a scheduled 7:00 am departure. Shooters waited in line for hours, finally boarding at 10:30 am and reaching the range by 12:30 pm.
