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Asian Games 2026: PT Usha Raises Questions Over Housing Model, Says ‘We Wanted Village System’

Posted on 23rd Sep 2026 01:01 pm by rohit kumar

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha has questioned the accommodation model being used at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, where organisers have opted not to build a conventional, purpose-built Athletes’ Village.

 

Instead, athletes and officials are being accommodated across multiple locations, including the Costa Serena cruise ship, temporary accommodation facilities and hotels in Nagoya and the wider Aichi region. Usha, who was part of the Games' coordination committee, said she and several other members had opposed the decision to move away from the traditional Village model.

 

PT Usha Says Most Countries Opposed the New Housing Model

 

Speaking about the accommodation arrangement, Usha said that the decision had faced opposition from several countries as well as members of the coordination committee.

 

“Most countries opposed it. I did too. The Village system is always better.”

 

Usha said her view was shaped by her experience of attending multiple international multi-sport events. She noted that she had seen most Athletes’ Villages since 1982 and considered the current ship-based and dispersed arrangement significantly different from the traditional model.

 

She also said that most members of the coordination team had objected to the proposal and wanted the Village system to continue.

 

Why Does PT Usha Prefer the Athletes’ Village?

 

According to Usha, an Athletes’ Village is not simply a place where competitors stay during a tournament.

 

She said the Village provides an opportunity for athletes from different countries and sporting disciplines to meet, interact and socialise in one central location.

 

“Everybody can come together, see each other and mix and mingle,” Usha said, explaining why she believes the traditional Village remains an important part of a multi-sport event.

 

For Usha, this interaction is part of the wider experience of the Asian Games and distinguishes a centralised Village from accommodation spread across multiple locations.

 

Asian Games 2026: How Are Athletes Being Housed?

 

Unlike previous editions that featured dedicated Athletes’ Villages, Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is using a distributed accommodation model.

 

The Costa Serena cruise ship is serving as one of the principal accommodation facilities. Athletes and officials are also staying in hotels and other temporary facilities across Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture. Reports said the cruise ship has around 1,500 cabins and can accommodate thousands of people.

 

The organisers have cited cost and sustainability considerations behind the decision not to construct a conventional Games Village.

 

PT Usha Raises Logistics and Coordination Concerns

 

While questioning the model, Usha acknowledged that the accommodation itself provides adequate facilities.

 

Her concern, however, is that the absence of one centralised Village can make logistics and coordination more complicated.

 

Athletes, officials and visitors may have to travel between different accommodation locations and competition venues rather than operating from a single central hub.

 

The accommodation arrangement has also attracted attention during the Games, with reports of logistical and room-allocation issues involving some delegations.

 

Distance Between Asian Games Venues Also a Concern

 

Usha also pointed to the geographical spread of competition venues.

 

Comparing the current Games with previous Asian Games, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, she said earlier venues were often located closer together, making it easier to move between events.

 

She gave the example of travelling between shooting and cricket venues, saying that the different routes and distances make it difficult to watch multiple competitions on the same day.

 

Usha acknowledged that distributing venues across different areas could help those locations develop sports infrastructure. However, she said the arrangement also creates accessibility challenges for people wanting to attend multiple events.

 

Will the Traditional Athletes’ Village Disappear?

 

Usha does not believe the Aichi-Nagoya model signals the end of the traditional Athletes’ Village.

 

She said she did not expect the “Village culture” to change because the coordination committee itself had not supported the idea of replacing the conventional model.

 

Her comments underline the continuing debate over how major multi-sport events should balance cost, sustainability, accommodation, athlete interaction and logistics.

 

Why PT Usha's Comments Matter

 

The Athletes’ Village has traditionally been one of the defining features of major multi-sport events, bringing competitors and officials from different countries into one shared environment.

 

Usha's comments highlight a different aspect of the issue: whether a more distributed accommodation model can provide the same level of interaction and ease of movement while also meeting organisers' cost and sustainability objectives.

 

The Aichi-Nagoya Games therefore offer a different accommodation model from previous editions, while Usha has made clear that she continues to favour the conventional Athletes’ Village system.

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