The Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams could face a fresh medal ceremony issue at the Asian Games, with Pakistan Cricket Board and Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi potentially involved in presenting the medals. According to a report by The Times of India, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will decide who presents the medals if either Indian team reaches the podium.

India are the defending Asia Cup champions in both men’s and women’s cricket, although neither side has received its respective trophy or medals. The earlier impasse was linked to Naqvi’s insistence on presenting the silverware. The possibility of him being involved in the medal ceremony could therefore become a talking point if India win a medal.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the Indian teams are currently focused entirely on their matches and that the board will assess the situation if the teams reach the podium.

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“We are focusing solely on the matches. The teams have to first reach the podium. We will take a call then, taking into account all prevailing factors at that moment,” Saikia told The Times of India. Saikia further stressed that the BCCI does not want to comment on an issue that has not yet arisen. 

“We will cross the bridge only when we reach it. The focus of the board and cricketers is only on winning the matches. We don’t want to comment on anything else that hasn’t happened yet,” he added.

The OCA’s rules provide some clarity on the medal ceremony. Article 66 of the OCA Constitution and Rules states that medals at OCA Games are to be presented by the OCA President.

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However, the rule also allows the OCA President to delegate the responsibility to another OCA member, alongside the president or deputy of the relevant international or Asian federation. The same rule prohibits demonstrations or commercial, political, religious or racial propaganda during the victory ceremony, leaving the final arrangements with the OCA.