The Delhi High Court has granted celebrated wrestler Vinesh Phogat permission to participate in the upcoming Asian Games selection trials, ruling that allowing her entry was necessary "in the interest of sports and justice." A bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia also instructed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to video-record the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. Furthermore, the court mandated that independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) remain present during the selection process.
Court Order Details
"The appellant shall be permitted to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games, 2026, which are scheduled for 30.05.2026 and 31.05.2026," the court stated in its order uploaded on Saturday, a day after it was passed. The bench criticized the WFI's policy and circular as "clearly exclusionary in nature" as they provided no discretion to consider iconic players like Phogat who had taken a sabbatical due to maternity leave. The court also observed that the grounds cited in WFI's show-cause notice to Phogat appeared "premeditated" and amounted to reopening settled issues.
Background of the Case
The order came in response to Phogat's appeal against a May 18 ruling by a single-judge bench that had denied her interim relief regarding participation in the trials. Phogat, an internationally acclaimed wrestler, was disqualified from the women's 50kg final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in August 2024 after being found 100 grams overweight during the morning weigh-in. The high court's decision marks a significant development, ensuring that Phogat's career is not unfairly hindered by procedural issues.
Implications for Sports Administration
The court's directive for video recording and the presence of SAI and IOA observers underscores the need for transparency and fairness in selection processes. This ruling is expected to set a precedent for handling cases involving athletes returning from breaks due to personal reasons, such as maternity leave. The WFI has been directed to comply with the order, and the selection trials will now proceed with enhanced oversight.
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