NAGOYA, Japan: The 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya on Saturday, bringing together more than 11,000 athletes from across the continent for Asia’s biggest multi-sport event, despite a series of organisational challenges and weather disruptions during the build-up.
Captain of Pakistan’s national women’s cricket team Fatima Sana and rising squash star Noor Zaman led the country’s delegation as flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026 at Paloma Mizuho Stadium on Saturday. Their selection placed two prominent young athletes at the forefront of Pakistan’s participation in the continental sporting event.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito formally declared the Games open during a colourful opening ceremony held on a heart-shaped stage at a 30,000-capacity stadium, where large sections of the stands remained empty.
The emperor and Empress Masako received a respectful welcome as they took their seats alongside International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry. The declaration of the Games’ opening was met with polite applause from the subdued crowd.
The first gold medal is expected to be awarded on Sunday morning, with the men’s individual triathlon among the early events. Athletes will compete in more than 40 sports before the Games conclude on October 4.
According to the Pakistan Olympic Association, 246 Pakistani athletes will compete in 23 disciplines during the Games, which will continue until October 4. Pakistan’s contingent includes athletes from cricket, squash, hockey, athletics and esports, with the country set to compete alongside leading sporting nations from across Asia.
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Organisational challenges overshadow build-up
The Nagoya-Aichi Games have attracted more than 11,000 athletes and around 6,000 officials, putting considerable pressure on organisers to provide accommodation, transport and other facilities.
Unlike previous Asian Games, organisers have not provided a traditional athletes’ village as part of cost-cutting measures. Competitors are instead staying in temporary container-style accommodation, hotels and the cruise ship Costa Serena.
🚨 ASIAN GAMES OPEN UNDER ACCOMMODATION CHAOS IN NAGOYA
NAGOYA, JAPAN – The immediate limitation is that athletes no longer share a single, centrally managed living environment. That increases the number of points where transport, accreditation, catering and room allocation can… pic.twitter.com/WD7zfRWfqv
— The Content Factory (@tcf_updates) September 19, 2026
Several teams have raised concerns about the quality of the temporary accommodation, including complaints about beds being too short. Some athletes were also reportedly left stranded at the airport after transport failed to arrive.
The Games have also faced weather-related problems. Heavy rainfall flooded parts of Nagoya last week, while a typhoon approaching eastern Japan could cause further disruption.
In another incident, North Korea’s national anthem was mistakenly played on Friday for South Korea’s men’s hockey team.
Asia’s sporting giants eye medals
The Asian Games feature 45 countries and territories, with Olympic sports such as athletics and swimming sharing the programme with regional favourites including kabaddi and sepak takraw.
Esports, breakdancing and BMX cycling are also included, while padel and mixed martial arts will make their Asian Games debuts.
China enters the Games seeking another dominant performance after topping the medals table at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games with 201 gold medals and 383 medals overall.
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Among the high-profile competitors are Philippine tennis star Alexandra Eala, 15-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and 13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi.
India’s cricket team will also attract significant attention as the sport prepares to return to the Olympic programme at Los Angeles 2028 after a 128-year absence. India could meet Pakistan in the Asian Games final if both teams progress and weather permits the tournament to proceed as scheduled.
Read Also: Fatima Sana and Noor Zaman to Carry Pakistan Flag at Asian Games 2026
North Korea is sending more than 100 athletes across 14 sports, while Iranian wushu athlete Zahra Kiani, a two-time Asian Games silver medallist, is among the notable competitors.
Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who won Olympic gold at Paris 2024, is also competing after her eligibility became the subject of controversy during the Paris Games.
