Will Team India accept Asian Games medals from Mohsin Naqvi? Know BCCI's latest response

The question of whether Team India will accept medals from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has gained attention ahead of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Both the Indian men's and women's cricket teams are the defending champions and will aim to retain their titles.

Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan's Interior Minister, could be involved in the medal ceremony if he is officially selected for the role. However, it is not yet clear whether he will be given the responsibility, as other officials, including ICC chairman Jay Shah, could also be considered.

According to reports, the Indian teams are expected to accept their medals if Naqvi is officially designated to present them. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has indicated that India cannot ask the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to prevent him from presenting the medals if he is chosen for the role.

BCCI reacts as Mohsin Naqvi medal question reaches Team India ahead of Asian Games 2026

The question of who could present medals to the Indian cricket teams at the Asian Games 2026 has drawn attention ahead of the tournament. Mohsin Naqvi the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), could be involved in the ceremony if the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) delegates the responsibility to him. However, no such decision has been confirmed yet.

The BCCI has also avoided making any decision on the matter at this stage. When asked about the board's position, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, "We are focusing solely on the matches. The teams first have to reach the podium. We will take a call then, taking into account all prevailing factors at that moment." He added, "We will cross that bridge when we come to it. The focus of the board and players is only on winning matches. We don't want to comment on anything else that hasn't happened yet."

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According to Article 66 of the OCA Constitution and Rules, under the section titled 'Victory and Medals Ceremony,' medals to the winners of the OCA Games are presented by the OCA President. The rule also allows the OCA President to delegate the responsibility to other OCA members, along with the president or deputy of the concerned international or Asian federation. Therefore, who presents the medals to Team India will depend on the official OCA decision at the time of the ceremony.

Devajit Saikia: "We will cross the bridge when we reach it" — What OCA rules say

The question of medal presentations involving Mohsin Naqvi has come into focus ahead of the Asian Games 2026. According to a Times of India report, Indian teams would be expected to accept their medals if the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) officially delegates Naqvi to conduct the ceremony. However, the final decision on who will present the medals has not been announced.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board is currently focused only on the competition and will decide on the matter if it becomes relevant. "We are focusing solely on the matches. The teams first have to reach the podium. We will take a call then, taking into account all prevailing factors at that moment. We will cross that bridge when we come to it," Saikia said. He added that the focus of the board and players remains on winning their matches.

See also -Will Mohsin Naqvi hand over the trophy to India if they win Women's Asia Cup 2026 final?

Under Article 66 of the OCA Constitution and Rules, medals are presented by the OCA President, who can delegate the responsibility to other OCA members along with the president or deputy of the concerned international or Asian federation. The rules also state that no demonstration or commercial, political, religious or racial propaganda is allowed during the victory ceremony.

What happens next: Will Naqvi present medals to India at Aichi-Nagoya?

Both Indian cricket teams are the defending champions at the Asian Games and will compete in the T20 events at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The question of the medal ceremony has gained attention after the recent Asia Cup controversy involving ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi. If the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) officially delegates the medal ceremony to Naqvi, the Indian teams could face the same situation at the Asian Games.

According to a Times of India report, an IOA source said India cannot ask the OCA to exclude Naqvi from the ceremony. “India can’t ask OCA not to nominate Naqvi,” the source was quoted as saying. The source added, “After all, it’s the Asian Games, not an ICC or bilateral tournament. Neither IOA nor BCCI can place such a request before OCA or ask it to choose or exclude a particular person.”

Under Rule 66 of the OCA Manual and Guidelines, medals are presented by the OCA president, with the responsibility allowed to be delegated to another OCA member. The current OCA president is Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar. 

The rule also provides for the relevant international or Asian federation president or deputy to accompany the person presenting the medals, where possible. Therefore, the final decision on who will present the medals to the Indian teams will depend on the OCA's official arrangements for the ceremony.