Delhi High Court Permits Vinesh Phogat To Participate In 2026 Asian Games Selection Trials

The Delhi High Court has allowed wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games, setting aside restrictions imposed by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) that had excluded her from eligibility based on revised selection criteria. A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia delivered the ruling, observing that the federation’s selection policy, which prioritised medal winners from 2025 while disregarding earlier achievements, was exclusionary in nature and failed to account for exceptional circumstances involving established athletes.

The court noted that the policy did not provide adequate discretion to the federation to consider elite or “iconic” athletes who may have been unable to participate in qualifying events due to legitimate reasons such as maternity-related sabbaticals. In its observations, the bench stated that such rigid eligibility requirements represented a departure from past selection practices and could unfairly disadvantage experienced sportspersons.

The ruling specifically addressed the case of Vinesh Phogat, noting that her absence from qualifying competitions was linked to maternity leave and subsequent recovery, which coincided with the timeline of events required to meet eligibility conditions for the trials. The court emphasised that maternity-related breaks should not result in career prejudice or professional exclusion.

Also Read: Delhi High Court Criticises WFI Over Vinesh Phogat Trials Ban, Orders Panel Formation

The bench further observed that existing guidelines for national coaching camps allowed discretion for the inclusion of accomplished athletes in major competitions such as the Asian Games, even if they had not participated in standard qualifying processes. It held that the Wrestling Federation of India’s strict criteria appeared to eliminate this flexibility, thereby restricting fair consideration of high-performing athletes.

In addition, the court criticised a show-cause notice issued by the federation, which had barred Phogat from domestic competition in connection with incidents related to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The bench noted that these observations appeared premature and inconsistent with findings from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which had not attributed wrongdoing to her.

The judgment also remarked that certain statements made in the federation’s communication were inappropriate and should have been avoided, particularly given their reliance on disputed interpretations of earlier events. It characterised the remarks as lacking proper basis and inconsistent with established findings. With this ruling, Phogat has been permitted to compete in the upcoming selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31, paving the way for her potential inclusion in the national contingent for the 2026 Asian Games, subject to performance in the trials.

Also Read: Delhi High Court Criticises WFI Over Vinesh Phogat Trials Ban, Orders Panel Formation