HANGZHOU – Asian Games organizers face an unprecedented logistical challenge as India’s medal count continues climbing, requiring emergency procurement of additional display cases, podiums, and anthem-playing equipment.
“We’ve never seen anything like it,” admitted Games Director Chen Wei-ming while standing in what used to be the parking lot, now converted into Medal Storage Zone C. “We’re considering renting a warehouse in Shanghai just for the victory ceremonies.”
The crisis intensified after India secured medals in athletics and wrestling, with officials reporting they’ve run out of both national anthems and flag-raising mechanisms. The ceremonial podium has been reinforced three times and is now classified as “structurally concerning” by safety inspectors.
Sunil Chhetri alone has requested seventeen different camera angles for his 150th cap celebration, causing a shortage of photographers throughout China. Tournament videographers have formed a union demanding hazard pay for “excessive celebration coverage.”
The situation reached critical mass when India defeated Bangladesh by 41 runs in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match, qualifying for the tournament final. Officials report they’ve had to airlift additional medal ribbons from Beijing and are seriously considering building a second victory platform.
“At this point, we’re just throwing medals at them and hoping they have room in their luggage,” confessed volunteer coordinator Liu Xiaoping. “We’ve started giving athletes wheelbarrows instead of medal boxes.”
The Indian Olympic Association issued a statement thanking China for their hospitality while diplomatically requesting “perhaps fewer ceremonies per medal” to speed up the process.
Local hotels report Indian athletes have been using bathroom towels to polish their medals, leading to a cotton shortage across the province.
In related news, the All-China Medal Manufacturing Corporation has announced plans to open a permanent facility in New Delhi to meet future demand.
A 12-year-old fan who caught Cal Raleigh’s 60th home run ball was reportedly offered seventeen Indian medals in exchange but declined, stating he preferred baseball.