The upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Japan are poised to witness a potential diplomatic standoff that could overshadow the sporting achievements on the field. At the heart of this brewing controversy is the question of whether the Indian cricket team will accept medals from Mohsin Naqvi, the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). This uncertainty stems from a series of recent incidents where both the Indian men's and women's cricket teams refused to collect their Asia Cup trophies from Naqvi, leading to a unique and tense situation in Asian cricket administration.
The History of the Trophy Dispute
The roots of this conflict go back to September 2025, when the Indian men's cricket team emerged victorious in the Asia Cup. Despite their triumph on the field, a significant controversy erupted during the presentation ceremony. The Indian team reportedly refused to accept the championship trophy from the hands of Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as the Pakistani President of the ACC. As a result of this refusal, the trophy wasn't taken home by the champions but was instead returned to the ACC headquarters. This unprecedented event set a tone of administrative friction between the Indian cricket establishment and the ACC leadership.
History repeated itself recently when the Indian women's cricket team also secured the Asia Cup title. In a mirror image of the men's ceremony, Mohsin Naqvi was once again present and insisted on presenting the trophy, while following the precedent set by the men's team, the Indian women's squad also declined to receive the silverware from Naqvi. For the second time, the prestigious Asia Cup trophy had to be sent back to the ACC office rather than being displayed in the trophy cabinet of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Asian Games 2026: A Grand Stage in Japan
The focus now shifts to Japan, the host of the 2026 Asian Games. This massive sporting event is expected to see participation from approximately 11000 athletes representing 45 different nations. India is preparing to send a strong contingent of around 500 athletes across various disciplines, with high hopes for a significant medal haul. Cricket, which has been included in the Games, is one of the primary events where India is considered a heavy favorite for the gold medal in both the men's and women's categories, while however, the administrative involvement of the ACC in the cricket segment of the Games has brought the Mohsin Naqvi issue back to the forefront.
The Medal Ceremony Dilemma
The central question remains: if the Indian cricket teams reach the podium in Japan, will they accept their medals if Mohsin Naqvi is the one presenting them? In the Asian Games, the responsibility for distributing medals primarily lies with the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). However, it's standard practice for the OCA President to delegate this honor to other high-ranking officials, including the heads of international or continental sports federations, while given that Naqvi is the President of the ACC, there is a high probability that he could be invited to present the medals for the cricket events.
When questioned about this potential scenario, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia maintained a cautious stance. In an interview with the Times of India, Saikia stated that the current focus of the board and the teams is solely on reaching the podium and performing at their best. He emphasized that any decision regarding the medal ceremony would be taken based on the prevailing circumstances at that time. Saikia refrained from commenting on hypothetical situations, noting that he wouldn't speak on something that has not yet occurred.
Strict Protocols and the Sarita Devi Precedent
Unlike the Asia Cup, the Asian Games operate under the strict jurisdiction of the Olympic Council of Asia, where rules regarding medal ceremonies are exceptionally rigid. Any form of protest, political gesture, or refusal to accept a medal is viewed as a serious violation of the Olympic spirit and the Games' code of conduct. Athletes are mandated to show absolute respect to the medals, the national flags, and the national anthems during the ceremonies.
The risks of refusing a medal were clearly demonstrated during the 2014 Asian Games involving Indian boxer Sarita Devi. After a controversial loss, Sarita Devi refused to wear her bronze medal during the ceremony and instead handed it to the silver medalist as a mark of protest against the judging. This act led to severe consequences, including a 1 year ban for the boxer and the temporary suspension of her coaches. Although she eventually accepted the medal, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the disciplinary actions that can be taken by international sporting bodies.
Potential Resolutions
There is a possibility that the situation could be defused if the OCA decides to assign the medal presentation duties to another official. One such candidate could be Jay Shah, the current ICC Chairman, or another neutral representative from the Asian sporting community. However, reports suggest that neither the BCCI nor the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) can officially demand or object to the OCA's choice of presenters, as the authority to appoint these officials rests entirely with the Asian Olympic Committee, while as the Games approach, the sporting world will be watching closely to see how this administrative and diplomatic puzzle is solved on the podiums of Japan.