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Asian Games: South Korea volleyball team latest to be taken to wrong venue

Al Jazeera · 2026-09-29

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: The South Korean men's volleyball team was taken to the wrong venue by their shuttle bus, resulting in the cancellation of their scheduled practice session ahead of their match against Taiwan. • Why it matters: This incident highlights ongoing transport-related issues at the 20th Asian Games, raising concerns about the organization and logistics affecting over 17,000 participants. • What to watch next: The local organizing committee's response to these logistical challenges and any improvements made to prevent future incidents as the games continue until October 4, 2026.

**Asian Games: South Korea Volleyball Team Faces Transport Mix-Up in Japan**

Aichi-Nagoya, Japan – The South Korean men's volleyball team experienced another logistical mishap during the ongoing 20th Asian Games, which are set to run until October 4, 2026. A bus transporting the team mistakenly took them to a venue located an hour away from their intended training site, leading to the cancellation of their scheduled practice on Monday morning.

According to an official from the Korea Volleyball Association, the team was supposed to train in Inuyama ahead of their group match against Taiwan later that day. However, the shuttle bus provided by the event organizers took them to Okazaki instead. Due to the significant time lost in transit, the team was unable to return in time for their training session.

"We lodged a formal complaint to the organisers through the KSOC," the official stated, referring to the Korea Sports & Olympic Committee. Despite the setback, the South Korean team managed to secure a victory against Taiwan, winning the match 3-1.

This incident is part of a series of transport-related issues that have plagued the Asian Games, causing frustration among athletes and officials alike. Over 17,000 participants are currently attending the games, and problems with accommodation and transportation have been highlighted as major concerns.

Last week, South Korea's men's basketball team also faced a similar predicament when their bus failed to arrive for a training session prior to their final match against Japan. Fortunately, the team went on to win the championship despite the logistical challenges.

In a related incident on the same day, Pakistan's men's volleyball team was also affected by a transport error, as they were taken to the wrong venue for their match against Uzbekistan. The delay resulted in a 45-minute postponement of the game. Pakistan's captain, Murad Jehan, expressed his frustration in an Instagram video, describing the situation as yet another example of mismanagement at the Asian Games.

A spokesperson for the local organizing committee acknowledged the errors, noting that both the South Korean and Pakistani teams had departed from the same accommodation and were assigned to the wrong vehicles. "We sincerely apologise to both teams for the inconvenience," she stated. The spokesperson emphasized the committee's commitment to improving their processes, assuring that they would implement measures to ensure proper checks are in place to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

As the Asian Games continue, the organizing committee faces the challenge of addressing these logistical issues to ensure a smoother experience for all athletes and officials involved.

Source: Al Jazeera
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