‘We did not expect this from Japan’: Pakistan volleyball team taken to wrong venue as logistical woes mount at Asian Games

Pakistan’s volleyball team was taken to the wrong venue ahead of its crucial Pool A match against Uzbekistan at the Asian Games 2026, adding to growing complaints over logistical arrangements at the multi-sport event in Aichi-Nagoya.Pakistan captain Murad Jehan took to Instagram to express his frustration after the team bus headed to the wrong gymnasium, leaving the players short of time before their match.“We have a very important match and the bus driver doesn't know which gymnasium we are going to play,” Jehan said in a video recorded on the bus.“He took a wrong way and came to a wrong gymnasium and now we are short of time. It's an embarrassing situation,” he added. “We did not expect this from Japan. This should not have happened.”Asian Games Full Coverage | Medal Tally | ScheduleThe detour left the players with little time for their usual preparations before the match. According to Jehan, some members of the squad were forced to change into their playing kit while still on the moving bus.‘This is not the only mismanagement’Jehan said the venue mix-up was part of wider logistical difficulties that athletes had encountered during the Games.“Really disappointing situation. This is not the only mismanagement that athletes are facing here,” he said.The Pakistan captain also complained about food availability, saying meals were not always available to athletes at dining areas after training sessions.The Games organisers did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the volleyball team's complaint.Despite the disruption, Pakistan managed to put the incident behind them once they reached the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium. They defeated Uzbekistan 3-0 to secure their second successive victory in the competition.The episode came just days after the Games' chief organiser apologised for widespread logistical glitches. Organisers attributed some of the problems to an unexpected late influx of around 2,000 additional athletes and team officials, which had put pressure on operational planning.Rain adds to scheduling headachesThe logistical concerns came as persistent rain created another set of problems for organisers on Monday, disrupting competitions across several sports.The men's cricket quarterfinals involving Pakistan and Hong Kong and India and Afghanistan were both washed out after heavy rain left the playing surface at Korogi Athletic Park unplayable. With no reserve day built into the schedule, Pakistan and India advanced to the semifinals on the basis of their higher rankings.Afghanistan opener Mohammed Akram expressed his disappointment after his side's match against India was abandoned.“The rain started yesterday, so hard luck for us,” Akram said. “We would have been happy to play here with India – our players are in form.“But unfortunately the rain has ruined everything.”Tennis matches were also delayed, while surfing was called off because of poor wave conditions. India's Kishore Kumar Anbarasu managed to complete his heat before the surfing programme was abandoned, advancing to the quarterfinals.“It was not the easiest conditions. It was very hard to find the good waves,” Anbarasu said.With the Games running until October 4, organisers face further weather-related challenges, with Typhoon Surigae forecast to move towards central Japan and the Tokyo region later in the week.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.