OCA issues safeguarding code for Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya; breaches may bring suspension
The Olympic Council of Asia has issued a Safeguarding Code of Conduct for athletes and officials at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, which begin on September 19, 2026, warning that violations can lead to suspension from the event. The code has been circulated to all athletes and officials bound for the Games and participants are required to sign and adhere to it.
The code explicitly prohibits inappropriate relationships where "power imbalance or dependency" exists, forbids the use of degrading language and bars being a bystander to instances of harassment. It also addresses social-media use, stating content should be "respectful, and appropriate" and must not "compromise the dignity or safety of others." Neetal Narang, president of the Softball Association of India, will be India's Safeguarding Officer at the Games; the OCA made Safeguarding Officers mandatory in 2022 and India appointed Om Prakash Karhana to that role for the Youth Asian Games last year.
The document emphasises maintaining appropriate physical, emotional, and professional boundaries and instructs participants to act on concerns. It states: "Communicate respectfully and inclusively, free from harassment, bullying, discrimination, intimidation, abuse, or exploitation. Challenge, intervene where safe, and report any safeguarding concern or inappropriate conduct."
The OCA warned that: "Breaches of this Code may result in removal of accreditation, suspension or exclusion from the Games, referral to law enforcement authorities, disciplinary action by the OCA, NOC (National Olympic Committee), AINAGOC (Organising Committee), IF/AF (International Federation/Asian Federation), or relevant governing body," in a communication accessed by PTI.
India will field 501 athletes (267 male and 234 female) and 265 support staff across 36 disciplines at the Asian Games and is hoping to better its best-ever tally of 106 medals from the previous edition in Hangzhou, where it won 28 gold, 38 silver and 40 bronze. "The Indian athletes have been made aware of this code of conduct through workshops and e-mail communication. We are continuing to receive the signed acknowledgments pledging adherence to the code," a well-placed source told PTI.
The OCA placed special emphasis on protecting minors, noting that many young competitors are among the participants. "Participants must never engage in, condone, ignore, conceal, or facilitate any form of harassment, bullying, abuse, neglect, discrimination, exploitation, or violence," the code said and it explicitly bars "sexual activity or inappropriate relationships with minors, or with any person where a power imbalance, position of trust, authority, or dependency exists." The code also forbids providing minors access to alcohol; India’s 15-year-old cricket player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 16-year-old table tennis player Syndrela Das and China’s 13-year-old world championship bronze-winning swimmer Yu Zidi were cited as examples among the over 10,000 who will be eyeing medals at the Games.
The OCA said it would act against any retaliation toward those who raise safeguarding concerns or participate in investigations. Aichi-Nagoya will play host to over 17,000 athletes and officials during the Games.
The Asian Games open on September 19 and will conclude on October 4, and the event will serve as direct Olympic qualifiers for hockey and squash, with gold-medallists assured of a ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Games.