New Delhi : Vinesh Phogat will be allowed to participate in the Asian Games selection trials after the Supreme Court refused to stay a Delhi High Court order granting her permission to compete. A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe heard the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) challenge to the High Court verdict on Friday, May 29.
Throughout the hearing, the bench expressed reservations about the manner in which the Delhi High Court had dealt with the matter. The judges questioned how the WFI’s policy could be termed “exclusionary” when the eligibility criteria applied to all wrestlers equally. The court also took exception to some of the observations made regarding motherhood and gender discrimination, noting that such issues could not become the sole basis for judicial intervention in sports administration.
“Country first” was a recurring theme during the hearing, with the bench observing that athletes representing India must meet all eligibility and compliance requirements. At the same time, the court acknowledged Phogat’s stature in Indian sport, describing her as “not an ordinary athlete” and recognising her achievements as a world champion and Olympian.
During the hearing, the bench referred to records indicating that Phogat had missed doping tests and had issues relating to whereabouts filings. The judges observed that such matters could not be brushed aside lightly, especially when an athlete is competing for a place in the national team. The court noted that under international anti-doping regulations, repeated failures relating to testing and whereabouts requirements could have serious consequences.
Phogat challenged the policy after being declared ineligible following her return from maternity leave. Her legal team argued that the federation’s criteria unfairly disadvantaged an accomplished athlete attempting to resume her career after childbirth. Senior advocate Madhavi Divan, appearing for Phogat, argued that the federation had ignored her exceptional past achievements and effectively shut the door on her return.
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