New Delhi . In the 2026 Asian Games to be held in Japan, Indian athletes are not only preparing to win medals on the field, but they are also being prepared in advance for the different accommodation arrangements they will get at the competition venue. One of the biggest features of the Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya this time is that a traditional athletes' village has not been built for the players. Arrangements have been made to accommodate the players on container cruises and other places. In such a situation, to ensure that Indian players do not suddenly have to face a new and limited environment, Sports Authority of India i.e. SAI has started a unique preparation in the country.
Container-based rooms have been prepared in Patiala and Bengaluru where Indian athletes are spending the night one by one. At first glance this arrangement may seem a bit surprising as space in the container is limited and players are usually used to having ample space for rest and recovery during training. But the purpose of this initiative is not to put the players in any inconvenience but to make them familiar with the environment that they may have to face after reaching Japan.
According to SAI officials, it had become clear about two years ago that there would be no arrangement for a traditional athletes' village for the players during the Asian Games. After this, a plan was made to prepare the Indian players mentally and physically by giving them the same environment in India itself. The effort is to ensure that upon reaching Japan, less space or different type of living arrangements do not affect the performance and concentration of the players.
The container prepared in Patiala is about 13 meters long and about three meters wide. Making maximum use of the limited space, many facilities have been added as per the needs of the players. Twin sharing bedrooms have been built at both ends while there is a narrow gallery in the middle. The container also has amenities like air conditioning, small laundry area, washing machine, compact kitchen with fridge and sink. In the bathroom, separate parts have been made for wash basin, toilet and shower. A cabinet has also been created to keep players' belongings and space under the bed for heavy kit bags.
Two-time Asian Games champion shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor also called this experience useful. For Tajinder, who is around 6 feet 4 inches tall, living in a confined space was a different experience than usual but he admitted that necessary facilities were available inside. He believes that if the players had reached Japan for the first time and seen such a place, the initial time could have been spent in understanding and adjusting to that environment. Having prior experience in India can reduce this problem considerably.
Discus thrower Seema Kaliramana also spent two nights in the container. The space requirement for the throw event players is a bit more, hence they also felt some difficulty in the beginning. However, by the second day he adjusted to this environment. This is also the objective of this entire initiative so that players learn to adjust as quickly as possible with even the smallest inconvenience.
Interestingly, these containers are not custom made. These were used to store weightlifting and athletics equipment at NSNIS Patiala during the Covid pandemic. Now these old containers have been converted into residential simulators for the preparation of the Asian Games. They will continue to be used even after the competition and there are plans to convert them into guest houses.
In this exercise, which started from August 28, till now about eight athletes have spent the night in the container and in future also other athletes will stay here as per the scheduled schedule. In fact, this preparation is not only related to the accommodation but also to the mental strength of the players. When Indian athletes take the field in Japan, their aim should be not the limitations of the room or its facilities but only the medal. With this thinking, SAI has already prepared a small Japan in Patiala.