Behind the medals awarded at the Asian Games in Nagoya, an army of roughly 40,000 volunteers powers the daily operations of the multi-sport event, according to figures cited by the Chinese news agency Xinhua. While elite athletes capture public attention on the track and in the arena, individuals ranging in age from 18 to 91 handle everything from athlete transport to media management across Aichi prefecture.
Volunteers Powering Transport And Security In Nagoya
On the night of Singapore sprinter Shanti Pereira’s 100m final, Vicente Tai managed a delicate transport assignment. Once Pereira secured a silver medal, the 61-year-old volunteer escorted the runner back to her hotel through post-race formalities. Tai, who volunteers with the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), recalled the pressure of the task, noting that he felt like he was transporting a vital asset who needed safe and prompt transit.
Tai’s responsibilities extend beyond escorting delegation members between venues. Having lived in Japan for 30 years after relocating in 1996 following his university studies in Hawaii, he serves as a cultural and linguistic bridge for Team Singapore. The professional in a business that manages investments and corporate finance first began volunteering during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics amid pandemic travel restrictions, eventually connecting with SNOC officials for the ongoing Asiad.
Coordinating Transport While Family Competes On Court
Another key figure within the SNOC volunteer corps is 58-year-old Singapore permanent resident Yuichiro Kubo. Originally from Japan, Kubo assists the SNOC secretariat with ground transportation logistics and translation duties when language barriers arise. Kubo noted improvements in English proficiency around Nagoya, yet emphasized the continued need for linguistic assistance.
His role in Nagoya also provided a personal milestone. Kubo watched his son, national badminton player Junsuke, make his Asian Games debut in the men’s doubles event, reaching the round of 16 alongside partner Wesley Koh. Beyond familial ties, Kubo serves as a translator for the Badminton World Federation.
Managing Media Operations At The Gymnasium
At the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium, 28-year-old Malaysian volunteer Chin Huey supports badminton media operations. Her duties include credential verification, seating management, and directing journalists and photographers to designated zones. Chin moved from Melaka to Japan in 2018 for her studies and applied for the role online in late 2024, completing an interview and a two-day training course in 2025.
As an avid badminton fan, Chin specifically requested assignment to badminton operations to watch women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan compete. According to organising committee data cited by Xinhua, 85 percent of the 40,000 volunteers live within Aichi prefecture, and 55 percent are first-time volunteers.
