Sport

JOC executive says Tokyo Games should be held without spectators

Published

5 years ago

June 11, 2021

One of Japan’s sporting legends and an executive of the country’s Olympic committee said on Friday the Tokyo Games should be held without spectators to ensure the safety of the public and accused the organisers of using a “double standard”.

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) board member Kaori Yamaguchi, an Olympic judo medallist, said the government was “confusing” the people by asking them to stay at home and imposing curbs while putting on the global sports showpiece.

Polls have shown most Japanese oppose holding the Games this year, worried about a slow vaccination rollout and the flood of athletes and officials from overseas. Japan has effectively been closed to foreign visitors since the pandemic broke out.

“There’s this fear inside everyone that if people start moving around Japan again, the infections would spread right at the time when they have peaked out and people can live safe lives again,” said Yamaguchi, one of the few lone voices openly critical of the Olympics in the world of Japanese sports.

“If we were to limit the virus and be careful about it, I’d say we should hold the Games without spectators,” Yamaguchi told Reuters in a Zoom interview.

Already postponed from last year because of the pandemic, a scaled-down version of the Games with no foreign spectators is set to start on July 23 despite public fears it could drain medical resources and spread the coronavirus as Japan appears to have contained the fourth wave of infections.

The decision on the domestic spectators — and whether to lift the state of emergency in Tokyo and several other areas — is expected later this month.

The government’s most senior medical adviser, Shigeru Omi, has been voicing his concerns in parliament over the last week, warning that the biggest risk was the increased movement of the public, which has contributed to past rises in infections.

Despite the opposition, the Japanese government and the organisers have dug in their heels, saying the Games would go ahead “barring Armageddon”, as one International Olympic Committee (IOC) member put it.

Yamaguchi, who won a bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Games, has expressed her dismay at such pronouncements, adding she thought the organisers “avoided dialogue” and that the IOC “seems to think that public opinion in Japan is not important.”

During the interview, she also accused Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa of “not sufficiently explaining” to people why they should think the Games are “safe and secure”.

“Even though the infections have eased, they ask people to be careful, to not drink alcohol, to not go out, but they also say: ‘enjoy the Olympics’ — so the citizens are confused by this double standard,” said Yamaguchi.

Japan has recorded more than 760,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 13,800 deaths, while only 12% of its population has received at least one vaccination shot — far behind other major economies.

Yamaguchi added that the appropriate message the organisers should be sending to the public right now was: “we’re not getting carried away”.

“I’m not saying people shouldn’t have fun, but I want them to have this stance: we still haven’t won with corona, we’re still in danger.

“It’s the same as in sports: the most dangerous moment is when you think you’ve won. Typically, that’s when you get beaten up.”

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Ariana Snooker Championship Season 2 set to kick off next week

Published

16 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Ariana News

The second season of the Ariana Snooker Championship is set to officially commence on Monday next week, bringing together top cueists from across Afghanistan.

The tournament will feature 32 players representing all provinces where snooker is actively developed and played. All participants secured their places through earlier qualification rounds held prior to the main event.

The championship will be contested in the six-red ball snooker format. The group stage, knockout rounds, and quarterfinals will be played in a best-of-seven frames format, with players required to win four frames to advance to the next stage.

The semifinals and final will follow a best-of-nine frames format, ensuring a more competitive conclusion as players compete for the season title.

Under a signed agreement, the Ariana Snooker Championship will continue for four additional seasons, with all matches broadcast on Ariana Television, further supporting the growth and visibility of snooker in Afghanistan.

Fans are encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News’ social media pages for all updates and broadcast schedules on this exciting event.

Sport

Rashid Khan retains No. 1 spot in ICC ODI and T20I bowling rankings

Published

20 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Ariana News

Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan has maintained his position as the world’s top-ranked bowler in both One Day International (ODI) and T20 International cricket, according to the latest ICC rankings.

Rashid continues to lead the ODI bowling rankings with 705 rating points, while also holding the No. 1 position in T20I bowling with 753 rating points.

The Afghan leg-spinner has remained one of the most consistent performers in international cricket, playing a key role for Afghanistan across formats with his wicket-taking ability and economical bowling.

In the latest ODI rankings, England fast bowler Jofra Archer and South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj follow Rashid in second and third places respectively.

In T20Is, India spinner Varun Chakravarthy and Pakistan bowler Abrar Ahmed are among the closest challengers to the Afghan star.

Rashid’s continued dominance in ICC rankings comes as Afghanistan’s cricket team prepares for upcoming international assignments and major global tournaments.

Sport

All eyes on Jeddah as AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 kicks off

Adding to the tournament’s reach, Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) has confirmed it will broadcast matches live and exclusively on Ariana News for the duration of the tournament, which runs through until May 22.

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2026

Ariana News

The Asian football spotlight shifts to Jeddah this week as the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 kicks off on Tuesday May 5, with 16 of the continent’s top youth teams competing for regional glory and qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

All matches will be staged at King Abdullah Sports City, where a centralized tournament model will see four stadiums within a single complex host every fixture — a format designed to streamline operations and enhance the experience for players and fans alike, alongside dedicated fan zones and entertainment activities.

The tournament features a blend of traditional powerhouses and emerging sides. Hosts Saudi Arabia headline Group A alongside Tajikistan, Thailand and Myanmar, while Group B includes former champions Japan, Indonesia, China and Qatar. In Group C, South Korea face Yemen, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates, while defending champions Uzbekistan lead Group D with Australia, India and North Korea.

Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, with all eight quarter-finalists automatically qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Opening day fixtures will see Saudi Arabia take on Myanmar as the hosts aim to build on last year’s runner-up finish, while Tajikistan face Thailand in the other Group A clash. In Group B, four-time champions Japan meet Qatar, with Indonesia set to play China.

Beyond the competition, the tournament is a key test event for Saudi Arabia ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027, offering an opportunity to refine tournament delivery, coordination and infrastructure at scale.

With scouts, fans and broadcasters closely watching, the competition is expected to showcase some of Asia’s brightest young talents — many of whom will be aiming to take their first step onto the global stage.

Fans across Afghanistan are meanwhile encouraged to follow Ariana News and Ariana Television’s social media pages for updated information and broadcast schedules on this tournament.