The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Friday dismissed the mounting concerns around organisational chaos in the build-up to the Asian Games, saying that every multi-sport event faces such challenges and attempts to “politicise” or “exploit” them on social media would not be allowed to succeed.

Addressing a media conference on the eve of the Games opening ceremony here, 2026 Asian Games Coordination Committee Chairman Tayyab Ikram sought to downplay the controversies as temporary issues.

The accommodation scarcity at the Games has become an international story and the excruciatingly long check-in process at hotels and long distance travel for training by the athletes is not doing any good to Japan’s image as a host right now.

“There are certain things which we can see in different media and different feedbacks … we strongly condemn this … any attempt to politicise our sporting event which is for athletes. That is something we would like to prevent,” Ikram said.

“… people are trying to come up with concerns in everything, but which Games don’t have challenges? The important thing is what kind of response is there. Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee response has been extraordinary, but OCA and ANAGOC will not allow (anyone) to politicise the Games,” he insisted.

“I don’t want to mention the names, but there are certain concerns which are being exploited on social media. We continue to be positive,” added the veteran official, who is also the president of the International Hockey Federation.

He, however, did not specify who he believes is behind the politicisation of the Games’ issues, which have also affected the Indians, who have complained about cramped rooms and long waits.

On Friday, a Chinese world champion gymnast said that he was “totally exhausted” due to the lengthy registration process for his accommodation which lasted more than six hours.

Zhang, who won two silver medals at 2024 Paris Olympics and has two world championship titles to his name, later booked a room at a hotel to rest, the local media here reported.

A Xinhua report said Chinese badminton players were helped by staff from their Consulate General in Nagoya in arranging chartered vehicles through local overseas Chinese contacts.

The hashtag “Asian Games absurd” has since been viewed more than 94 million times on Weibo, according to ‘Japan Times’.

To make matters worse, South Korea’s Olympic Committee on Friday said it has filed a complaint with the Games organisers for featuring a Japanese warlord at the team welcome ceremony.

The event on Tuesday included a person dressed as Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who led Japan’s invasions of Korea in 1592-1598, and the ceremony prompted a backlash in South Korea, according to a report in ‘Japan Times’.

OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam declared that the allocation of rooms for the athletes and their support officials is now complete and there are no more concerns left to be addressed.

“Every athlete, every official, every coach have an accommodation. There is no single accredited person without accommodation. And they have all other logistics,” he said.

Asian Games have grown bigger over the years with the number of athletes from the 45 countries even exceeding that of the Olympic Games. Al Musallam said in addition to the 17,000-plus athletes and support staff, there is also another 5000 technical officials for the conduct of different sports.

“Asian Games cannot be compared with events of any other continental federations,” the Kuwaiti said.

Asked if building an Athletes Village would have been a better idea, now that the lack of accommodation has kicked up a controversy, Musallam said, “First of all, we wish we have an Athletes Village but we also have to be flexible. We also have to think about the cost of the Games.

“We need to listen to organisers, how they look for the future after the Games. It’s very easy to insist on Athletes Village, you spent such amount of money to build it and then we need to see what’s going to happen after the Games.

“Yes, an Athletes Village with a five-star (rating) is good but at the end of the day we need to be practical.” On the increasing number of sports and number of athletes in the Asian Games over the years, the OCA DG said, “You cannot just talk about athletes and then put restriction or obstacle on their participation. I am supportive of the increase in the number of athletes, not decrease the athletes to support the sport.

“Because now with the current political crisis and conflicts in Asia and around the world, we need sport, the world needs sport at this moment more than anything else.” Musallam also defended the introduction of wooden container-style huts for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which some athletes have criticised as cramped for space.

“The container-style accommodations were meant to reduce cost and also for sustainability. May be this may lead to smaller countries being able to host the Games at a reduced cost in the future,” he reasoned.

Ikram said the upcoming editions of the Asian Games in Doha (2030) and Riyadh (2034) will have an Athletes Village.

“For the next two Games, we are already having the Athletes Village. Doha has already inaugurated the Athletes Village. But the OCA will not have a very blind approach that we should have an Athletes Village. We have to take care of the legacy of that Village.

Manchester United suffered a painful Carabao Cup exit on Wednesday after throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose to Brighton at Old Trafford.

The defeat ended a 50-year record for United. The last time the club lost at home after taking a two-goal lead was in 1976, when Sir Alex Ferguson was still managing St Mirren.

United’s latest setback came only days after their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, increasing the pressure around Michael Carrick and his players.

Fans showed their anger after the final whistle. Many supporters left the stadium before the players completed their traditional lap of appreciation, while others stayed behind to boo the team and question the players as they headed towards the tunnel.

Carrick made eight changes to his starting XI, with teenager Shea Lacey among those given an opportunity. The youngster made the most of his chance by scoring in the eighth minute with a well-taken finish.

The goal made Lacey the first teenager to score on his first Manchester United start since Marcus Rashford achieved the feat in 2016.

However, United struggled to maintain control of the match. Brighton gradually took charge and eventually completed the comeback.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said his team deserved the victory.

“The longer the game went, the more we had control. I thought we deserved to win,” he said.

Carrick did not disagree with that assessment, admitting that his team had not produced enough to prevent another disappointing result.

United have now lost three games this season, while they have recorded only two victories. The latest defeat also ended their hopes of winning the Carabao Cup.

Carrick said he was particularly disappointed for Lacey, whose impressive first start was overshadowed by the team’s collapse.

“It’s a shame that Shea’s moment, such a great moment for him, for his family, his friends and the whole academy, gets a bit lost, unfortunately,” Carrick said.

The United manager also spoke about 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, who had been expected to make his senior debut. Carrick said the club must be careful with the youngster because of his age and wellbeing.

“He’s a young boy, he’s 15, and for me, definitely, and from a club point of view, looking after our younger players, their welfare, their wellbeing, their exposure, we’ve got to be really conscious of that,” he said.

Despite the growing criticism, Carrick insisted he does not feel under pressure.

“I don’t feel under pressure,” he said. “What bothers me is winning games, having a good feeling around the place and a good feeling around the group to know we’re moving in a good direction.”

United now have one match left before the international break, with Fulham waiting at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

After a difficult few weeks, another poor result could increase the pressure around the club.

Saturday’s $1 million Shorts at Randwick is a date apprentice jockey Mollie Fitzgerald is eagerly awaiting, marking her debut ride in a Group race aboard the capable mare Flying For Fun.

The 24-year-old, who is indentured to Annabel and Rob Archibald, has previously ridden in three Listed races but is thrilled that trainer Bryce Heys has entrusted her with the reins of his dual stakes winner in a race renowned as a key audition for The Everest.

“It’s an awesome opportunity. A very ‘pinch myself’ moment,” Fitzgerald said.

“She’s a beautiful mare. I’ve had the benefit of riding her in a trial, but it’s so exciting. It’s what you dream of, to be in these races, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Flying For Fun, a daughter of Heys’ former top sprinter Spieth, captured the Starlight Stakes (1100m) in November and later demonstrated her quality by winning the Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) in March.

Her subsequent runs in Adelaide resulted in two unfortunate Group 1 placings; she surged home to narrowly miss out in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and was unable to gain a clear passage when midfield in the Goodwood (1200m).

She has a strong record when fresh, and while the outside draw in barrier 12 presents a significant challenge against horses like Joliestar, Headwall, and Everest slot holder Ninja, Flying For Fun has shown promising form in two lead-up trials, with Fitzgerald aboard for the initial one.

“It was her first trial and she wasn’t asked to do much, but I had a lot of horse underneath me,” Fitzgerald noted.

“James (McDonald) trialled her at her second trial and he was pretty happy with her as well. You can feel the difference being on those quality horses.

“She’s a model of consistency. She tries very hard, and she loves her racing. Towards the end of her last prep, she was ridden a bit more quietly and you do need luck from back there, but she has raced in good races and been honest.”

Fitzgerald’s booking for Flying For Fun is a one-off arrangement for now, but she is determined to make the most of this significant chance and hopes it might pave the way for more opportunities.

“It’s just an awesome opportunity. Hopefully everything goes right on Saturday, and we’ll see what comes of it,” she remarked.

Fitzgerald’s Randwick engagements also include the Luke Pepper-trained Brave Xena in the Highway Handicap (1000m), marking a reunion after she partnered the mare to victory in a similar race during the summer.

“There’s not much of her, but she’s beautiful,” Fitzgerald said.

“I won a Highway on her, and she’s honest, so I’m looking forward to getting back on her. She’s got a tricky draw (barrier 12), but she’s probably good enough to overcome that.”

Explore the best racing betting markets for the Shorts at Australian betting sites.

A wrestling star suffered a brutal rejection on the latest episode of TNA Impact.

John Skyler has apparently developed a crush on Mila Moore, Mustafa Ali’s Secretary of Strategic Affairs. Moore has been closely associated with Ali’s Order 4 faction in TNA Wrestling, while Skyler is also part of the group.

Skyler previously tried to ask Moore out, but a phone call interrupted his attempt. He decided to give it another shot this week and even came prepared with roses. Unfortunately for him, things went from awkward to heartbreaking very quickly.

Skyler once again found Moore on the phone with somebody and overheard part of her conversation. The TNA Wrestling star realized that she was discussing him and apparently had no interest in going on a date. Here is what Moore said during the call backstage:

“John Skyler… Yeah, John. No, we’re talking about the same John. He was gonna ask me out on a date? I would NEVER go out with someone who looks like John Skyler! Are you kidding me? He was not gonna ask me out – that’s a joke, you’re joking, right? Aww… that’s sad. That can’t be real. John Skyler, really? Urgh. You have to be kidding me. Who would believe that? How’d he believe that?”

A hopeful John Skyler immediately turned into a man who looked like his heart had been broken. As you can see in the clip below, he dropped the roses upon hearing Mila Moore’s harsh words:

Interestingly, this could turn into something much bigger for John Skyler. As part of Order 4, getting rejected by someone close to Mustafa Ali could potentially create some entertaining tension within the faction. For now, though, Skyler simply has to deal with the heartbreak.

Mila Moore previously had her referee shirt ripped off in TNA Wrestling

This isn’t the first time Mila Moore has found herself at the center of an unusual TNA moment. Earlier this month, Moore served as the special guest referee during a match involving Jason Hotch and Order 4’s Agent 0. She heavily favored Agent 0, repeatedly frustrating Hotch during the bout.

TNA Wrestling’s Tasha Steelz eventually had enough and attacked Moore. Steelz then forcibly removed Moore’s referee shirt during the broadcast, leaving her to retreat backstage in her bra. You can read more about that HERE.