Top badminton players competing at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have criticized organizers over an intense tournament schedule that has resulted in physical exhaustion and multiple player withdrawals. Elite athletes, including India’s P.V. Sindhu and South Korea’s An Se-young, have publicly questioned the logistical management of the event, citing recovery times that fall short of professional standards.
Player Concerns Over Rest and Recovery
The criticism centers on a schedule that forced athletes to compete in multiple matches within a single 24-hour period. P.V. Sindhu, a former world champion, took to social media to express her frustration, noting that she was required to play three matches within an 18-hour window. Sindhu reported finishing her duties late, resting until 3:00 a.m., and then departing for the venue again at 8:30 a.m., stating that the lack of recovery time left her feeling physically compromised.
South Korean star An Se-young, currently ranked world number one in women’s singles, echoed these sentiments. An described the toll of the schedule, noting that after playing two matches on September 26, she felt a significant decline in her performance the following day. She indicated that the physical strain was so severe that she struggled to maintain focus during her matches, at one point needing to physically strike her own face to stay alert. An and her teammate Kim Ga-eun both characterized the tournament planning as unreasonable.
Impact on Player Health and Tournament Results
The intensity of the match schedule has been linked to a series of injuries among the competitors. On September 26, the day with the heaviest match load, Kim Ga-eun was forced to withdraw from competition due to injury. That same day, South Korean men’s singles player Choi Ji-hoon was removed from the court in a wheelchair. Observers noted that the match schedule on September 26 began at 9:30 a.m. and concluded at 2:00 a.m. the following morning.
The grueling pace has also been cited as a factor in the early exits of several top-seeded players. Former champions Li Shifeng and Shi Yuqi were eliminated early in the men’s singles draw. Indonesian star Jonatan Christie, the current world number one, expressed disappointment after his quarter-final exit on September 27. Christie noted that he had only managed five hours of sleep the previous night, stating that his limited recovery time had hampered his ability to compete at his best.
Logistical Failures and Transport Disruptions
Beyond the scheduling of matches, athletes and media personnel have reported significant problems with tournament logistics, specifically regarding transportation. Shuttle buses intended to ferry players and staff from Nagoya station to the badminton venue have been plagued by frequent delays and sudden cancellations. Indian player Prannoy H.S. described the situation as “cruel,” adding that the lack of organization has made it difficult for athletes to feel as though they are participating in a major international event.
The decentralized nature of the athlete accommodations has further complicated the situation. With no dedicated athletes’ village, competitors have been housed in a mix of hotels, cruise ships, and shipping container units. These arrangements have created additional hurdles for athletes attempting to manage their daily schedules and transit to competition sites. Prannoy compared the current organization unfavorably to the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, noting that expectations for the tournament’s management were not met.
Response from Organizing Committee
Satoshi Murate, the secretary-general of the organizing committee, has issued an apology regarding the recent operational difficulties. Murate attributed the complications to a lack of experience among staff in managing large-scale international sporting events. While the committee has acknowledged these shortcomings, some local media outlets have criticized the statement for failing to address broader concerns regarding the committee’s preparation and the recurrence of human errors throughout the event.
