Accommodation for Asian Games athletes in Japan is “functional” and efforts are being made to deal with numerous complaints from disgruntled teams, a chief organiser told AFP. More than 17,000 competitors and officials are expected at the continent’s biggest sporting spectacular, which opens on Saturday in Nagoya. In a bid to cut costs, organisers are housing athletes and officials in temporary accommodation ranging from a cruise liner and wooden containers to hotel rooms. The plan has run into immediate problems, with South Korean officials branding the container huts the “worst ever” and saying the beds are too short.

An official from another team told AFP that he entered the facility, took one look at the arrangement and booked a hotel room instead.

Several countries have also complained about a shortage of accommodation.

Speaking ahead of the opening ceremony, organising committee president Hideaki Omura said efforts are being made to ensure athletes are comfortable.

“If there are different opinions then we will respond to them appropriately,” said Omura, who also serves as governor of Aichi prefecture.

“At this point, while we are responding to individual opinions, we have been improving everything as issues arise and we will continue to respond that way.”

Byeon Jun-hyeong, a player with South Korea’s men’s basketball team, posted a video on social media showing a leaking sink and soaked floor in his hut accommodation.

He posted the caption, “Please help us”.

Hundreds of athletes were briefly evacuated from their accommodation last week as record rainfall lashed Nagoya.

About 2,000 people are supposed to stay in the huts.

Cruise control

Omura said plans for the huts, which were built this year, had been given a favourable assessment by a committee of former athletes, including Olympians.

“We explained everything to them and had them take a look around, and they said it looked functional and good,” he said.

About 4,000 athletes and officials will also stay on the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, which arrived in Nagoya on Tuesday.

Cruise ships have been used previously as accommodation at international sports events but never on this scale.

The Asian Games are taking place at a time when typhoons are common in Japan, and Nagoya has experienced heavy rainfall in recent weeks.

Omura said the priority was to keep athletes and officials on board safe.

“We believe we can provide accommodation that guarantees athletes’ safety and allows them to deliver their best performance,” he said.

Slow sales

Athletes from 45 countries and territories will compete in more than 40 sports across over two weeks.

Omura said ticket sales were going “fairly well”, especially for the marquee events.

But he admitted that lesser-known sports had yet to capture the Japanese public’s imagination.

That includes cricket, which is practically unknown in Japan.

“India have a superstar cricket squad coming and Indian residents in Japan are saying, ‘I can’t believe we get to watch matches like this’, but ticket sales haven’t been very strong,” said Omura.

“A lot of people in Japan have never seen cricket, so I really hope they take this chance and go and watch.”

Events at the Games including basketball and football have been under way since last week.

Omura said he was in attendance as the first action began when Qatar took on Iran in men’s basketball.

After watching a physical contest, Omura said he hoped the Games would help Asia “reaffirm its bonds of friendship through sport”.

“Iran and Qatar are in a situation where missiles are flying back and forth but they can still play basketball together,” he said.

“Without the Asian Games you couldn’t have a game like that.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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However, the biggest draw of the day will be the Harmanpreet Kaur-led India women’s cricket team, who will take on hosts Japan in the quarter-final. The defending gold medallists will look to secure a place in the semi-finals.

If India advance, they will face Bangladesh in the last four after the South Asian side secured their place in the semi-finals following their quarter-final against China being abandoned due to rain on Thursday. Bangladesh progressed as the higher-ranked team in the T20I rankings.

Now, let’s take a look at the full schedule of matches and events for September 18 at Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya.

Asian Games 2026, September 18 events: Live streaming and telecast details

When will India’s women’s cricket team be in action at Asian Games 2026?

India’s women’s cricket team will be in action against Japan in the quarter-final on September 18. The match is scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM IST at the Korogi Athletic Park.

Where to watch live telecast of Asian Games 2026 September 18 matches in India?

The live telecast of the Asian Games 2026 September 18 matches will be available on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 5 in English, Sony Sports 3 in Hindi, and Sony Sports 4 in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.

Where to watch live streaming of Asian Games 2026 September 18 matches in India?

The live streaming of Asian Games 2026 September 18 matches will be available on SonyLIV through its app and website in India.

Things can turn quickly in Scottish football.

The second act of this season’s Old Firm show on Sunday is still a hard one to call, partly because it’s at Celtic Park and also because there surely has to be some kind of response from O’Neill’s team to their pitiful fate at Ibrox last weekend.

Their fans will be worried, though. Five goals given up against LASK, a desperate experience at Ibrox – and now this.

In moments on Thursday, some of their football was reminiscent of darker days – the failures of Cluj and Copenhagen in 2019 and 2020, when Bayo and Bolingoli were in the building; Sparta Prague in 2020, when Klimala and Ajeti, Duffy and Laxalt were in the team.

It was all very Legia Warsaw, very Salzburg, very Maribor. The energy levels were low, the booing was loud and the feeling of a side with no answers was unmissable.

In the aftermath, O’Neill spoke about frustration, failure and psychological damage, how low moments like these hit you hard and test your resolve. He promised to “get ourselves together” for Rangers on Sunday but his tone was flat and a touch tired.

He outlined some of the ways in which Celtic were deficient on the night but didn’t talk with the spirit of a man who had answers. In many ways his post-match comments mirrored his team’s performance – leaden, stale, disheartening.

O’Neill has fixed many problems over the years, not just in his first trophy-laden spell but in his return to chaos last season. He restored order and confidence, two things that have been lost.

The force of his personality gave Celtic fight. They were not always pretty to watch but they were ferociously hard to beat. Nobody managed it on the title run-in.

That kind of never-say-die only seems like yesterday, but in other ways it feels like an awfully long time ago.

The Colorado Buffaloes face a pivotal test as top wide receiver Danny Scudero is sidelined with an injury ahead of their clash with Northwestern.

Can Coach Prime’s squad maintain momentum without their most dynamic weapon?

I break down the significant impact of Scudero’s absence, updates on Cam Perry and Malachi Brown’s injuries, and highlight which receivers could step into the spotlight.

Discover why the defensive back trio of Boo Carter, Cree Thomas, and Jason Stokes may be the key to shutting down Northwestern’s passing game.

Key topics include Colorado’s depth at wide receiver, defensive concerns in the secondary, and the pressing need to eliminate costly penalties.

As questions mount about the Buffs’ discipline and ability to control the run game, all eyes are on whether Colorado can stay unbeaten and prove their resilience on the road.

A place in the AFL Grand Final is on the line as Sydney’s powerful forward unit meets a Fremantle side carrying confidence from its semi-final victory over Geelong.

When: Friday September 18, 2026 at 7:40 pm

Where: SCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers Odds

Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers Preview

Sydney returns to the SCG refreshed after earning a preliminary-final berth with a 141-88 victory over Brisbane. Errol Gulden led that qualifying-final performance with 34 disposals, while Logan McDonald, Tom Papley and Charlie Curnow combined for 16 goals. The Swans must now adjust to the loss of captain Callum Mills, who suffered an ACL injury. Fremantle arrives after responding to its own qualifying-final setback with a 120-106 win over Geelong. Luke Jackson was central to the result, producing 25 disposals, two goals, 12 score involvements and 35 hitouts. The Dockers also beat Sydney 111-73 in Round 18, although the Swans have won 12 of their past 13 home matches. Sydney’s forward form and home record create a genuine contest, but Fremantle’s recent success in the matchup gives it a narrow advantage.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning was as emotional as he has ever been at a press conference on Monday.

While it might be a bad look to some, it’s a good sign for fans.

On today’s episode of Locked On Ducks, I discuss the latest injury news that Oregon has to deal with.

Is losing Trent Ferguson for likely the season a big loss for the O-line that has struggled?

Oregon got a massive, shocking wake-up call against Oklahoma State.

Will that be the spark that ignites this roster, which is still among the best in college football?

00:00 Dan Lanning’s emotional press conference
03:15 Dan Lanning takes accountability
06:38 Dan Lanning’s defensive struggles
11:55 Oregon’s offensive line performance
14:00 Scoring vs. Defense Debate
18:16 Evaluating Oregon’s early season performance
22:11 Analyzing team’s early season performance
24:03 Coaching struggles and keeping it fun

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

The Big 12 had a good week.

Oklahoma State’s victory over Oregon was a shocker, and the Conference avoided disaster when Texas Tech found a way to beat Oregon State. Utah did its part, too, with a blowout win over Arkansas.

At the same time, Kansas State crushed Washington State, Iowa State battled Iowa to the last play, and BYU kept its Playoff hopes alive with a win over Arizona.

Is it a sea change? No. But it’s a step in the right direction.

Week 3 features a massive showdown in the Conference when No. 13 Texas Tech hosts No. 22 Houston.

But my featured team is Kansas as the Jayhawks head to London to face Arizona State.

Here’s my Big 12 Column for the week.

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Featured Team: Kansas

Arizona State vs Kansas

Saturday, September 19
9:00 AM PT, FS1
Wembley Stadium, London, England

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It’s not easy to win at a place like Kansas.

With no football tradition and no big-time donor, the Jayhawks are treading water in the expanded Big 12. But the school pumped money into a stadium renovation, signaling a long-term commitment to the football program.

Lance Leipold has been the head coach since 2021. He’s compiled a record of 28-36 with bowl appearances in his second and third seasons. The nine wins in 2023 were the most KU had since 2007.

Yet, despite the initial success, the program has stalled.

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Kansas won five games last year and five games the year before. There’s been no bowl appearances since that 2023 season.

And nobody ever talks about Kansas Football.

Recruiting is dead. There are no star players.

How many people reading this can even name a single guy on their roster?

Surely, a team like that has no chance against Arizona State. The Sun Devils have more money and, frankly, a better coach.

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Kenny Dillingham has energized the Phoenix metro and is a talented recruiter. Arizona State had a Top 25 transfer class and brought in a quarterback with experience starting in the SEC.

In ASU’s first year in the Big 12, they won the league and made the Playoff. In other words, Arizona State accomplished more in a single year than Kansas has accomplished since helping found the Big 12 in 1996.

Anything can happen in London. But it should be a full-on display of the “haves” and “have-nots” in the Big 12.

Give me the Sun Devils by at least 21 points.

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Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.

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