Delhi High Court Slams WFI Over Vinesh Phogat Asian Games Exclusion

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat received major relief from the Delhi High Court after the court directed the Central Government to form an expert committee to review her case and ensure she gets a fair opportunity to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games. During the hearing, the court also strongly questioned the functioning of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and asked on what grounds Vinesh was declared ineligible for domestic competitions. The High Court observed that disputes between athletes and sports associations should never affect the sport itself. The bench emphasized that the interests of athletes and the future of wrestling must remain the top priority, regardless of administrative disagreements. The court’s remarks come at a time when Indian wrestling has been surrounded by controversies, with several wrestlers raising concerns over the federation’s policies and decision-making process. Earlier, the court had refused interim relief to Vinesh Phogat and did not allow her to participate in the Asian Games selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. The court had then stated that since she was already barred from domestic events, immediate relief could not be granted. Vinesh later challenged WFI’s selection policy and the federation’s May 9 notice in court, claiming the process was unfair and discriminatory. The Wrestling Federation of India had suspended Vinesh from domestic competitions until June 26, including the National Open Ranking Tournament. According to WFI, she violated disciplinary and anti-doping rules and failed to follow the mandatory six-month notice period required for wrestlers returning after retirement under United World Wrestling regulations. The federation’s new selection policy states that only medal winners from recent national tournaments will be eligible for the 2026 Asian Games trials, while previous international achievements will not be considered. Vinesh argued that this rule unfairly affects experienced and senior athletes who have represented India at the global level for years. During the hearing, the Delhi High Court also acknowledged that Vinesh Phogat is currently on maternity leave and said individual circumstances of athletes should be taken into account while balancing the interests of the sport and the nation. The court once again stressed that conflicts between athletes and the federation should not harm the future of wrestling or deny deserving players fair opportunities.