Will the Asia Cup trophy episode resurface at the Asian Games? That is the question surrounding Harmanpreet Kaur’s Indian women’s team as it faces Bangladesh in Sunday’s semi-final at Korogi Sports. India, favourites for the gold medal, had refused to accept the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi in Dubai on September 13, despite defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final to win their fourth title in six editions.
The episode echoed the controversy involving the Indian men’s team a year ago and immediately raised the possibility of another awkward podium moment. If India reach the final and Naqvi is invited to present the medals, would the governing bodies allow a repeat of the Dubai scenario? At present, the indications suggest otherwise.
Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, could theoretically be invited to the Asian Games in his capacity as ACC president. However, his presence at the event remains uncertain. A Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman told Cricbuzz that Naqvi’s visit to Japan was doubtful, while acknowledging that his travel plans may not be known to the board. Naqvi had arrived in Dubai only around 30 minutes before the Women’s Asia Cup final concluded.
Even if he travels to Japan, the decision over the medal ceremony will rest with the Olympic Council of Asia. The Japanese Olympic Committee and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games Organising Committee are also expected to have considerable influence. India’s diplomatic relationship with Japan could prove decisive. The two countries have recently announced special measures to mark 75 years of friendship, and the Asian Games programme includes a high-profile fixture between India and Japan.
The reigning world champions are scheduled to face Japan, ranked 41st, in a one-off men’s T20I on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Sano, Kato, from 9:30 am IST. “That is my reading,” an ACC member said. “I think Japan will not allow it. India’s gesture of playing Japan will not go unacknowledged.” India strengthened its gold-medal credentials by defeating Japan by eight wickets in the fourth quarter-final. A semi-final victory over Bangladesh would take Harmanpreet’s side into the title match and bring the medal ceremony question sharply into focus.
The BCCI, however, has refused to speculate. Secretary Devajit Saikia said after the board’s AGM that India would “cross the bridge only when we reach it”, adding that the organisation would assess the prevailing circumstances if the team reaches the podium. An Indian Olympic Association delegation is present in Nagoya, although IOA sources have declined to discuss whether any representation has been made to the OCA, JOC or AINAGOC.
For now, the most likely outcome is that Dubai will not be repeated in Nagoya. Japan’s hosting responsibilities, its close relationship with India and the political sensitivity surrounding the medal ceremony make it unlikely that the organisers would create another confrontation. But until the final is played and the podium arrangements are confirmed, the question will continue to follow India’s campaign.
(Quotes sourced from Cricbuzz)
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