Athletes told to sort their own accommodation for Asian Games

Organisers of the Asian Games happening next month in Japan have asked some athletes and officials to find their own places to stay. This is due to more participants joining than the available space.

The Games will take place in the Nagoya and Aichi region from September 19 to October 4. They were initially planned for about 15,000 athletes and officials.

But now, the number has jumped to nearly 17,000. This increase is because teqball and padel were added to the Games' events earlier this year.

According to BBC Sport on Friday, Ichiro Hirosawa, the Mayor of Nagoya and acting chairman of the local organising committee, said it would be tough to house everyone. He mentioned that they are working with a tight budget.

Hideaki Omura, the Aichi Governor and head of the organising committee, said the agreement with the host city only covers 15,000 participants. He added that there is no extra money for the additional athletes and officials.

"The host city agreement specifies a delegation of 15,000 people," Omura said. "We have not set aside a budget for any more than that. There is simply nowhere for them to stay. If they still wish to come, they will have to make their own arrangements."

Omura also mentioned that the committee lacks both the manpower and budget to cater for the extra participants.

Unlike the Olympic Games, where athletes usually stay in a designated village, the Asian Games' organisers have decided on a mix of temporary accommodations and hotels.

Between 4,000 and 5,000 athletes will be living on the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, which will be docked in the area. Another 2,000 will stay in huts made from shipping containers.

The rest of the athletes and officials will find accommodation in hotels in Tokyo, where swimming, diving, and equestrian events will take place.

This accommodation issue has come up after the number of expected participants went up by about 2,000 from the original estimate. Now, organisers are having a hard time finding housing for everyone coming to the Games.