India was among five teams left waiting during the traditional flag hoisting ceremony at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Friday, which encountered delays due to unspecified issues involving one of the teams. The organizers did not clarify the nature of the problems that caused the interruption.
The ceremony, held at Garden Pier, was supposed to feature teams from Yemen, North Korea, Palestine, India, and Timor-Leste. India’s four deputy chefs de mission—A Sharath Kamal, Lijo David Thottan, Alaknanda Ashok, and Anjali Bhagwat—were present at the scene.
Local organizers apologized for the delay, stating, “We are sorry for the delay. There is some trouble with a team. We will try to restore in another 15 minutes.” However, after a 20-minute wait, the ceremony began only to be halted once more. Sharath Kamal and Anjali Bhagwat had started to proceed to the stage but returned to the waiting area when the event was interrupted again.
This incident adds to growing concerns regarding the organization of the Nagoya Asian Games as the official opening approaches on Saturday.
Increased Scrutiny Over Management
The disruption has intensified the criticism directed at the event’s organization. Concerns have already been raised regarding athlete accommodation, transportation issues, and the decision to place athletes in various locations rather than creating a centralized Games Village.
Organizers opted for a budget-friendly approach, providing accommodations in container-style facilities, hotels, and even on the Costa Serena cruise ship. However, delays in room assignments and challenges in reaching training venues have frustrated many athletes and officials. Indian MMA athlete Varun Sanyal voiced concerns about the living arrangements, while Chief de Mission Sahdev Yadav acknowledged the existence of some management issues. Badminton player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy also mentioned that members of the Indian team had to wait for several hours for a bus at one point.
Flag hoisting ceremonies are an important tradition at major multi-sport events, serving as a formal welcome for competitors from different countries before the opening ceremony.
The Asian Games is set to officially begin on September 19, although competitions in various sports have already commenced. With thousands of athletes looking forward to the main events, organizers are under increased pressure to resolve logistical challenges so that the sporting festivities can take center stage.
