India-Pakistan Hockey Clash Draws Sparse Crowd at 2026 Asian Games

Hockey, though a game that the British brought to South Asia in the late 19th century, has come to be known as a game that members of the South Asian diaspora took to every corner of the globe.

No competition in this sport is considered complete without the Indian diaspora. Since I began covering FIH World Cups in 1980 in Mumbai and the Summer Olympic Games in 1992, there has hardly been an occasion when the South Asian diaspora skipped an elite gathering of hockey-playing nations.

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, however, have provided a contrast. Even the India-Pakistan encounter, considered one of the most marketable events in contemporary sports, drew a sparse crowd here. The semifinal match between two giants of South Asian and world hockey showcased vintage hockey, displaying some fast-vanishing niceties of the game, like dribbling, short passes, captivating body maneuvers and a plethora of exciting moments that get fans of the sport on the edges of their seats.

It happened exactly like that when the two neighbors and archrivals played each other in the semis. Though India survived and won with a last-minute goal, the game reminded fans of the vintage hockey they had been waiting to watch. The only missing link was the fans themselves.

The Gifu Green Stadium had only a handful of people in the stands. Those present were either members of the participating squads or officials of various national hockey federations, the Asian Hockey Federation or the International Hockey Federation. Without its dedicated and sincere followers, hockey has started losing its connection with its fans, as is the case with other popular sports like football and cricket.

The venue for the Asian Games hockey competition was not easily accessible. Even the media personnel covering the competition were complaining about the arrangements, especially transportation. The lack of basic infrastructure, including covered stands, would normally have led to the venue’s rejection for failing to meet the minimum guidelines. But the national and international federations do not think twice about compromising on necessities to get sponsors. Sad, though. Sponsorship or money has become the organizational mainstay, taking precedence over sport.

These organizational or structural problems apart, Japan, as expected, does not have a very strong South Asian diaspora presence. Even members of South Asian communities in neighboring countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia, as well as Hong Kong, did not respond as warmly to the Aichi Asian Games.

Incidentally, hardly any Indian corporation or big company figures among the major sponsors of the Aichi Asian Games. Though Japan itself is a huge industrial and business power and could hold any major sporting extravaganza on its own, the absence of major international sponsors has been baffling.

One interesting aspect we noticed has been the assimilation of Nepalese people into the local culture. Some of the restaurants and eateries identified as “exclusive places for Indian cuisine” are run by Nepalese people here. While traveling to the MMC today, we came across a young Nepalese couple, Subash and Sudha, who have decided to make Japan their second home. Though they do not work in the hospitality industry, they find the atmosphere and opportunities for immigrants attractive.

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