Delhi High Court allows Vinesh Phogat to participate in Asian Games trials
Quick Look
The Delhi High Court has permitted wrestler Vinesh Phogat to compete in the Asian Games selection trials, citing 'interest of sports and justice.' The court ordered video recording and presence of independent observers for the May 30-31 trials, noting WFI's exclusionary policy regarding players on sabbatical.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat was denied interim relief by a single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court regarding her participation in the Asian Games selection trials. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had cited her sabbatical due to maternity leave as grounds for exclusion.
The Delhi high court has allowed celebrated wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the upcoming Asian Games selection trials, observing that allowing her participate in the trials was necessary "in the interest of sports and justice."
A bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia also directed the WFI to video-record the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. The court further ordered that independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) remain present during the process.
“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 said in its order uploaded on Saturday, a day after it was passed.
“The policy and the circular are clearly exclusionary in nature as they do not give any discretion to Respondent No.1 (WFI) to consider iconic players like the appellant in view of the sabbatical taken on account of her maternity leave,” the bench added.
The court also observed that the grounds cited in WFI's show-cause notice to Phogat appeared to be “premeditated” and amounted to reopening settled issues.
The order came on 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.(With PTI inputs)
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Vinesh Phogat will participate in the Asian Games selection trials.
Very likely · Within days
The trials will be conducted with enhanced transparency due to court-mandated observation and recording.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will Vinesh Phogat qualify for the Asian Games?
- What will be the outcome of the trials?
- Will the WFI's exclusionary policies be further challenged?
- What are the implications for other athletes on sabbatical?
