India could face another medal-presentation dilemma involving Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi at the 2026 Asian Games, but the decision over who presents the medals will ultimately rest with the Olympic Council of Asia rather than cricket authorities. According to a report by The Times of India, Indian athletes would be expected to accept their medals if OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani officially delegates the presentation role to Naqvi, with a refusal potentially resulting in disciplinary action.
The possibility has emerged after India’s men’s and women’s teams both declined to collect Asia Cup silverware from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister. With both Indian teams competing for medals in Aichi-Nagoya, attention has now shifted to whether circumstances could produce another presentation dispute.
OCA controls the medal presentation
Unlike the Asia Cup, the Asian Games operate under OCA protocol. Article 66 of the organisation’s rules provides for medals to be presented by the OCA President, while allowing that responsibility to be delegated to another OCA member alongside representatives of the relevant international or Asian federation.
The rules also prohibit commercial, political, religious or racial propaganda and demonstrations during victory ceremonies. They provide for penalties over disrespect towards the Games, medals and other official symbols, including possible disqualification and withdrawal of medals, certificates, accreditation or rankings.
The BCCI, however, is not committing itself to a course of action before such a scenario actually materialises. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told The Times of India: “We are focusing solely on the matches. The teams have to first reach the podium. We will take a call then, taking into account all prevailing factors at that moment. We will cross the bridge only when we reach it. The focus of the board and players is only on winning the matches. We don’t want to comment on anything else that hasn’t happened yet.”
The OCA’s authority also limits what Indian sporting bodies can seek in advance. A top Indian Olympic Association source told The Times of India: “India can’t ask OCA not to nominate Naqvi. After all, it’s the Asian Games, not an ICC or bilateral tournament. Neither IOA nor BCCI can place such a request before OCA or ask it to choose or exclude a particular person. Such a request cannot be made to OCA pre-emptively. Decisions of this nature can only be taken by OCA after considering the situation as it arises.”
Japan factor could change the equation
There is another layer of uncertainty around whether the situation will arise at all. According to Cricbuzz, the dynamics surrounding the Games in Japan could make a repeat of the Asia Cup episode less likely, with the Japanese Olympic Committee and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games Organizing Committee expected to have significant input alongside the OCA.
That assessment comes against the backdrop of sporting cooperation between India and Japan. India agreed to play Japan in a September 22 cricket fixture as part of measures marking 75 years of friendship between the countries, involving the respective governments as well as the BCCI and Japan Cricket Association. Japan, ranked 41st, securing a match against the world’s No. 1 side represents an unusual opportunity, with neighbouring Nepal yet to play India in a bilateral international.
An Asian Cricket Council member offered a brief assessment of how those circumstances could affect the medal ceremony, telling Cricbuzz: “That is my reading.” The ACC member added: “I think Japan will not allow it. India’s gesture of playing Japan will not go unacknowledged.”
The final decision would nevertheless remain with the OCA. Naqvi’s position as ACC President would not by itself give him the right to present the medals.
Naqvi’s Japan trip remains uncertain
Whether Naqvi will even be in Japan is also unresolved. A Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman, responding to Cricbuzz about the possibility of Naqvi travelling for the Games, said: “I don’t think so.”
BCCI officials, meanwhile, are expected in Nagoya. Saikia has confirmed that he plans to travel to Japan on October 1 and remain through the men’s final on October 3.
India’s women have already qualified for the September 22 final against Sri Lanka, ruling out an India-Pakistan medal contest in the women’s competition. In the men’s event, India and Pakistan can meet only in a medal contest for either gold or bronze, while the men’s final is scheduled for October 3.
For now, neither Naqvi’s attendance nor his involvement in a medal ceremony has been confirmed. Any decision over the presenter will come through the OCA’s Asian Games protocol, leaving the issue dependent on whether Naqvi travels to Japan, whether the OCA assigns him a role and whether an Indian team reaches the relevant podium.
