Thailand Sports Chief Confident in Japan's Disaster Response for Asian Games

Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, director of the Sports Authority of Thailand, has dismissed concerns about Nagoya's hosting of the 20th Asian Games after the city was hit by its heaviest rainfall in 136 years on September 8, causing severe flooding. He expressed confidence that Japan's disaster management systems will hold and will not disrupt the competition scheduled for September 19 to October 4, 2026. Rainfall reached 104.5 millimeters in one hour that evening, the highest recorded in 136 years, triggering flash floods, submerged roads, and water flowing into buildings across the city.

Many parties have expressed concern about whether Nagoya can manage the competition and how it will handle such problems if they recur during the Games. Dr. Yodmanee noted that Japan is one of the world's most disaster-prone nations, situated on the Ring of Fire and facing earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and heavy rainfall. However, he remains confident that Japan has the systems and expertise to manage these issues and that they will not impact the competition.

For Thailand, as athletes begin traveling to Japan, the Sports Authority has deployed experienced personnel from both the authority and the Thai Olympic Committee to provide support. A Thai House will be opened to serve athletes, while the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo has confirmed it will prepare staff to assist the Thai delegation. The Sports Authority is coordinating with the embassy to prepare for potential emergencies. Dr. Yodmanee urged all athletes to be cautious about injuries and illness, to wear masks in crowded areas to prevent flu and COVID-19, and to avoid accident risks while traveling. He also emphasized that athletes must consult doctors or specialists from the Sports Authority's sports science center before consuming any food, medicine, or topical products, as the World Anti-Doping Agency has called for strict enforcement of anti-doping rules at these Games.