Asian Games: 4-5 Indian Athletes Yet To Receive Visa For Acclimatisation Camp In Japan

Last Updated:September 15, 2026, 08:18 IST

Athletics events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games begin on September 23.

Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium will host the track and field events. (Agencies)

A visa delay is threatening to disrupt the acclimatisation plans of a handful of Indian athletes ahead of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya (Japan), with around 4-5 members of the 74-strong athletics contingent still awaiting clearance.

Most of the team has already reached Japan and is currently based at a short acclimatisation camp near Tokyo. Athletics Federation of India (AFI) officials are hopeful the pending visas will be issued soon and are likely to approach the government for assistance if required.

Athletics competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is scheduled to begin on September 23.

The delay is understood to be linked to a requirement from VFS, a leading visa and passport administration outsourcing company, that applications be submitted at the locations where the passports were issued.

“We are hoping that it will be sorted soon,” an official source said.

If the visas are not cleared quickly, the affected athletes could have to spend less time at the acclimatisation camp or travel directly to Nagoya to join the rest of the team.

The athletes who have already arrived in Japan are training at the University of Tsukuba, near Tokyo. The camp will continue until September 20, after which the team is scheduled to travel to Nagoya, arriving two days before the athletics events get underway.

With PTI Inputs

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Why is the visa clearance delayed for some Indian athletes traveling to Japan for the 2026 Asian Games?

The delay is linked to a requirement from VFS, a leading visa and passport administration outsourcing company, stating that applications must be submitted at the specific locations where the passports were originally issued.

Where is the Indian athletics contingent training in Japan before the 2026 Asian Games begin?

The Indian athletes who have already arrived in Japan are training at a short acclimatisation camp located at the University of Tsukuba, near Tokyo.

When is the athletics competition scheduled to start at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya?

The athletics competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is scheduled to begin on September 23, 2026.

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Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More

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