Indian athletes heading to Japan for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are being given an unusual pre-event experience — spending nights inside specially created shipping-container accommodation to familiarise themselves with the living arrangements planned for the Games.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has recreated the temporary housing units at its centres in Patiala and Bengaluru. Athletes are being assigned one- or two-night stays in the units as part of their preparation for the September 19 to October 4 event.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will differ from previous editions as there will be no conventional athletes’ village. Instead, accommodation for the expected 17,000-plus athletes and officials will be spread across a cruise ship, hotels and temporary housing facilities. Around 2,000 participants are expected to stay in the temporary units.
What the Replica Units Offer
The model accommodation consists of 40-foot-long and eight-foot-wide units designed to replicate the facilities athletes may encounter in Japan.
Each unit has four beds along with air conditioning, cupboards, a pantry, refrigerator and washing machine. Separate facilities are also available for toilets, showers and hand washing. For athletes, the exercise is intended to remove uncertainty about the accommodation ahead of the Games.
Two-time Asian Games shot put gold medallist Tajinder Pal Singh Toor said the arrangement initially felt unfamiliar but became comfortable with time. Discus thrower Seema Kaliramna also recalled being concerned about the restricted space before adapting to the setup.
SAI Deputy Director General Vineet Kumar said the container accommodation was essentially being used as a simulator, allowing athletes to experience the conditions before reaching Japan.
Focus Shifts to Athlete Welfare
The preparations are not limited to accommodation. Indian athletes and support personnel will undergo orientation programmes covering issues such as empathy, mutual respect and safeguarding.
India’s Asian Games contingent will consist of 768 members, including 503 athletes and 246 support staff. All members will be given a code of conduct outlining the expected behaviour and responsibilities during the Games and will be required to sign it.
Safeguarding Officer to Travel With Team
India will also have a Safeguarding Officer accompanying its contingent for the first time. The officer will provide support to athletes who may face emotional distress, feel isolated or encounter concerns during the Games.
Safeguarding Officer Neetal Narang said athletes would be introduced to the initiative through several outreach programmes, including online sessions dealing with self-awareness, empathy and respect. The programme will encourage athletes to remain attentive to the well-being of their teammates rather than concentrating solely on their own performance.
Hotline for Complaints
A pre-departure briefing will explain the safeguarding mechanism, the officer’s role and the process for reporting concerns. A dedicated telephone hotline and email facility will also be made available to athletes. Complaints will initially be treated confidentially, while serious or repeated violations could invite disciplinary measures, including suspension of accreditation.
The presence of a Safeguarding Officer is required for contingents under the Olympic Council of Asia’s rules. The initiative forms part of the broader athlete-safety framework promoted by the International Olympic Committee. Similar welfare arrangements were introduced at the Winter Olympics earlier this year, where participating contingents could have welfare officers.
Through the accommodation trial, behavioural orientation and safeguarding measures, Indian officials are seeking to prepare the team for more than just competition including the experience of living together as a large contingent in an unconventional Games environment.