The cricket final and hockey semi-final between India and Pakistan at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have created a new viewership record, emerging as the most-watched matches in the history of the Asian Games.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced that the two high-profile contests between the neighbouring countries attracted unprecedented audiences and surpassed previous broadcasting records. India defeated Pakistan in both cricket and hockey to register victories in the two eagerly followed encounters.
OCA Coordination Committee President Tayyab Ikram said at a press conference that the two India-Pakistan matches had broken all previous broadcasting records. The intense rivalry between the two countries contributed to the exceptional audience interest in both events.
Ikram also acknowledged that the Games faced some challenges and complaints related to the absence of a traditional athletes’ village and accommodation arrangements. However, he said the organisers successfully addressed these issues.
To accommodate athletes, hotels and cruise ships were used during the Games. According to the OCA, athletes accepted the arrangements positively.
OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam said a total of 212 records were broken during the Asian Games. These included 54 world records and 89 Asian records.
He attributed the record-breaking performances to the favourable environment provided to the athletes during the Games.
The strong response to the India-Pakistan cricket final and hockey semi-final has added another significant milestone to the sporting history of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with both matches becoming the most-watched contests in Asian Games history.