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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Afghanistan to host India for three-match T20I series in Delhi

Afghanistan most recently toured India for a Test and three-match ODI series in June, while the two teams also played a three-match T20I series in January 2024.

Published

44 minutes ago

August 12, 2026

Ariana News

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed that Afghanistan will host India for a three-match T20 International series in Delhi from September 13 to 17.

The matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, with the first T20I scheduled for September 13, followed by the second on September 15 and the third on September 17.

The series is part of Afghanistan’s Future Tours Program and will be played in India, where the ACB has hosted its home fixtures in recent years.

Afghanistan most recently toured India for a Test and three-match ODI series in June, while the two teams also played a three-match T20I series in January 2024.

The upcoming series marks the first bilateral event to be hosted by the ACB in India.

ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf described the series as a significant milestone for Afghanistan cricket and praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its cooperation and support.

“Hosting India for a bilateral series in India is a significant milestone for us,” Ashraf said. He added that the series would create opportunities in commercial, technical and cricketing areas while further strengthening the relationship between the two boards.

BCCI President Mithun Manhas said the BCCI remained committed to supporting the growth of cricket in Afghanistan and providing its players with opportunities to compete against quality opposition.

BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia said the series would complete the two teams’ bilateral competition across all three formats following their recent Test and ODI series.

“India hosting Afghanistan for their historic first Test in 2018 was another significant milestone in this journey,” Saikia said.

Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley said the Arun Jaitley Stadium was ready to welcome both teams and provide fans with an exciting international cricket series.

The series will be titled the “E& Afghanistan vs India T20I Series 2026, powered by Super Cola”.

Series schedule:

September 13 — 1st T20I, Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, Delhi

September 15 — 2nd T20I, Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, Delhi

September 17 — 3rd T20I, Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, Delhi

Sport

Abasin Defenders beat Shamshad Eagles by four wickets in Kabul Premier League

Published

22 hours ago

August 11, 2026

Ariana News

Abasin Defenders chased down a target of 155 to beat Shamshad Eagles by four wickets in the fourth match of the Kabul Premier League at Ayoubi Cricket Ground in Kabul on Sunday night.

Shamshad Eagles, who won the toss and elected to bat first, were bowled out for 154 in 15.5 overs.

Mohammad Shahzad top-scored for the Eagles with 57 from 39 balls, while Muslim Musa provided a powerful late contribution with 50 off just 22 deliveries.

Abdollah Ahmadzai was the standout bowler for the Defenders, claiming five wickets for 19 runs from three overs. His spell earned him Player of the Match honours.

Rohed Janzai also took three wickets for 53 runs as the Defenders dismissed the Eagles with 25 balls still remaining in their innings.

The Defenders made a confident start to the chase but lost wickets at regular intervals. Waleed Miakhil anchored the innings, remaining unbeaten on 37 from 29 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

Mohammad Akram added a crucial 25 from just nine balls to keep the chase on track, while Mohammad Amin finished the match in style, hitting an unbeaten seven from three deliveries, including a six.

The Defenders reached 158 for six in 18.1 overs, sealing victory with 11 balls to spare.

Mohammad Gul Alizai was the Eagles’ most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 38 runs from four overs.

The victory gave Abasin Defenders two points, while Shamshad Eagles finished the match without a point.

The result marked the Defenders’ first victory of the Kabul Premier League season.

Sport

Kabul Zalmi cruise to seven-wicket win over Pamir Stars

Masood Gurbaz was the star of the match, smashing a brilliant unbeaten 107 from just 46 deliveries to power Kabul Zalmi’s successful chase.

Published

24 hours ago

August 11, 2026

Ariana News

Kabul Zalmi produced a dominant batting display to beat Pamir Stars by seven wickets in the third match of the Kabul Premier League Season 4 on Sunday.

Batting first, Pamir Stars posted 190 for nine from their 20 overs, setting Kabul Zalmi a challenging target of 191.

Kabul Zalmi, however, chased down the target with ease, reaching 191 for three in just 16.3 overs to secure victory with 21 balls to spare.

Masood Gurbaz was the star of the match, smashing a brilliant unbeaten 107 from just 46 deliveries to power Kabul Zalmi’s successful chase.

His explosive innings ensured Kabul Zalmi remained in control throughout the run chase and secured an emphatic seven-wicket victory.

Gurbaz was named Player of the Match for his outstanding century.

The result gives Kabul Zalmi an impressive start to their Kabul Premier League campaign, while Pamir Stars will look to bounce back in their next match.

All matches are being broadcast exclusively across Afghanistan on Ariana Television.