The games were planned amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, posing logistical challenges in organizing the event.

[6] Malaysia and Indonesia expressed willingness to host the games in place of Vietnam.

[8] However,the host city contract could not be immediately signed due to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sanctions in effect at the time.

Originally, swimming also will be held in Karanganyar, but later moved to Semarang due to lack of preparation.

[4] CP football, cycling, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball were proposed but were not added to the calendar due to "economic reasons and difficulties in preparing venues and facilities".