BCCI relents on Asian Games stay, agrees to stay in designated hotels

NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has relented on the accommodation issue for the Asian Games, agreeing that the country's cricketers will stay in the official hotels designated by the Aichi-Nagoya organisers. The players will not be accommodated in an alternative hotel, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed on Tuesday.While the organisers' allocation had raised concerns over twin-sharing rooms, Shukla said the board would look to get its cricketers individual rooms in the official hotels. "Whatever they (organisers) are providing, we are staying there. We have photographs and videos of the accommodation and, though it is not five-star, it is good and comfortable. The options were to make them stay in Osaka or Tokyo, but that's too far away," Shukla said at the Asian Games-bound Indian contingent's send-off ceremony here. The men's team has been allotted the three-star APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae, while the women's team will stay at the four-star Meitetsu Grand Hotel. Both are below the five-star standard Indian cricketers usually receive on overseas tours.Shukla said the bigger concern was the playing facilities. "The big issue was the ground, wickets and dressing rooms. The Asian Cricket Council's (ACC) team visited Nagoya and is now satisfied with the facilities," he said. TOI had reported on Saturday, quoting Indian Olympic Association (IOA) CEO Raghuram Iyer, that the cricketers would not receive special treatment.The IOA had said it would not seek separate arrangements for cricket.Shukla also dismissed speculation that India would send a second-string side. “It is a complete rumour that we are sending our ‘B’ team. Our full contingent is going with the most talented players, and I hope we will definitely win,” he said.IOA president PT Usha confirmed the issue had been resolved. “There’s no problem and everything is sorted,” she added.India are the defending champions in both men's and women's events.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.