New Delhi, May 24: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will not challenge the Delhi High Court‘s order permitting Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games. Sources from the federation confirmed this on Sunday.
This development follows the court’s directive, which instructed the WFI to allow the Olympian and two-time world championship medalist to compete in the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31 in New Delhi.
The court also mandated that the entire selection process be videotaped and monitored by independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
In response to the court’s ruling, WFI sources stated that the federation would comply with the directives. They said, “We respect the court’s order and will not challenge this decision. Vinesh Phogat will be allowed to participate in the trials.”
However, the federation indicated that logistical issues could arise even if Phogat qualifies through the trials, as the list of participating athletes was sent to Japan earlier this month.
When asked if Phogat could be included in the final team if she wins the trials, sources replied, “That is no longer in our hands. Even if we manage to include her as an ‘iconic player,’ she will have to compete in the 50-kilogram category.”
By granting interim relief, the Delhi High Court criticized the WFI’s selection process, stating that motherhood should not deprive female athletes of professional opportunities.
A bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay noted that the federation’s policy did not adequately consider Phogat’s maternity leave and recovery period, which coincided with qualifying competitions listed under eligibility criteria.
The court emphasized, “Motherhood should be regarded as a natural and significant aspect of life, requiring special arrangements and institutional sensitivity. Therefore, the law must ensure that motherhood does not serve as a basis for excluding or marginalizing female athletes like the appellant.”
The bench further stated that preventing Phogat from participating in the trials would render her pending writ petition meaningless. It added that allowing her to compete is essential for the interests of sports and justice.
The court also criticized the language used by the WFI in a show-cause notice issued to the wrestler earlier this month, particularly regarding her disqualification from the Paris Olympics finals due to failure in the weigh-in process. The bench described the federation’s comments as “disgraceful” and “retaliatory,” labeling the incident as a “national embarrassment.”
Phogat had challenged the federation’s ‘Asian Games selection policy’ released in February, along with a subsequent circular and show-cause notice. She argued that despite informing both international and domestic authorities about her maternity leave, she was unjustly excluded from the selection process.
During the hearing, the WFI maintained that this policy applies equally to all wrestlers and that no exemptions could be granted. However, the court found that under previous guidelines, ‘prestigious players’ were allowed to participate in selection trials without meeting standard eligibility requirements.
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