Asian Games: Indian cricketers to accept medals from Mohsin Naqvi? What OCA rules say? 'No propaganda permitted’

Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams could be required to accept medals from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi if the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) assigns him the role at the 2026 Asian Games.

Both Indian sides remain strong contenders for gold in the cricket events at the Games, scheduled in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Meanwhile, if Naqvi is asked to present the medals at the Asian Games, the teams are expected to accept it as per the OCA rules.

Indian teams expected to accept medals from Mohsin Naqvi? Here is what OCA rules say

This comes amid the Asia Cup controversy where the women’s team refused to take the trophy from Naqvi after beating Sri Lanka to win their record-extending title. Naqvi was the trophy presenter at the celebration ceremony. While he waited at the podium to present the award, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side celebrated the win on the sidelines.

Naqvi presented the runners-up award to Sri Lanka before he abruptly left the stage. The men’s team had also refused to take the trophy from him after beating Pakistan in 2025. Meanwhile, the question has now arisen: what if Naqvi is asked to present the medals at the Asian Games? Can Indian teams boycott it there too?

What do the OCA rules say?

OCA rules state that medals are presented by the OCA President or a designated representative. No political demonstrations are permitted during victory ceremonies. Whether Naqvi is involved remains to be decided by the organisers as the cricket competitions get under way. Article 66 says:

“No kind of demonstration or commercial, political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted during the victory ceremony of the Games."

BCCI secretary on the possibility of Mohsin Naqvi presenting medals at Asian Games

The decision on who presents the medals rests with the OCA. Under Games protocol, athletes are expected to accept awards from the designated official. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, had insisted on presenting the silverware, leading to presentation ceremonies ending without the champions formally collecting their awards.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said the board and players are focused solely on their matches. He told the Times of India:

“The teams have to first reach the podium. We will take a call then, taking into account all prevailing factors at that moment.”

Saikia also said that he doesn't want to comment on that probability as of now and added:

“We will cross the bridge only when we reach it.”

It remains to be seen what happens as both teams bid for the gold medals at the multi-sport event in Japan.

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