WFI will not challenge Delhi HC order, Vinesh Phogat cleared for Asian Games trials

The Delhi High Court’s decision granting relief to Vinesh Phogat has cleared the way for the wrestling star to participate in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials, scheduled for May 30 and 31 in New Delhi, after her exclusion under revised Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) rules was challenged.

In a further development, WFI sources confirmed on Sunday that the federation will not challenge the High Court order and will allow Phogat to compete in the trials.

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“We respect the court order and the WFI will not challenge the decision. Let her compete in the trials,” federation sources told IANS.

Also Read: Delhi High Court backs Vinesh Phogat, questions WFI over Asian Games selection trials exclusion

The ruling comes a day after the Delhi High Court directed the WFI to permit the Olympian and two-time World Championships medallist to take part in the selection process while also mandating that the trials be video-recorded and supervised by independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

While the federation has agreed to comply with the court’s directions, officials indicated that procedural complexities could arise even if Phogat qualifies, noting that the list of participants for the competition had already been submitted to Japan earlier this month.

Also Read: Delhi HC clears Vinesh Phogat for Asian Games selection trials

“It is not in our hands now. If, by any chance, we manage to include her as an iconic player, she will have to compete in the 50kg category,” sources added.

During its ruling, the High Court strongly criticised the WFI’s selection framework, observing that motherhood cannot be used as a ground to exclude athletes from competition. A bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya noted that the federation’s policy failed to account for Phogat’s maternity-related break and recovery period, which overlapped with qualifying events.

The court stated that motherhood must be treated with institutional sensitivity and cannot become a basis for exclusion or marginalisation in sport. It also remarked that blocking Phogat’s participation would render her pending petition meaningless and was not in the interest of justice or sport.

Also Read: Vinesh Phogat breaks silence on WFI notice, says federation ‘misinterpreted’ comeback timeline

The Bench further criticised the language used by the WFI in a show-cause notice issued to Phogat, calling references to her Olympic weigh-in disqualification a “national embarrassment” as “deplorable” and “vindictive.”

Phogat had approached the court challenging the WFI’s Asian Games selection policy issued in February, along with subsequent circulars and notices, arguing that she was unfairly excluded despite informing authorities of her maternity-related break.

During hearings, the WFI had maintained that the policy applied uniformly to all athletes and did not allow exemptions. The court, however, noted that earlier guidelines had permitted “iconic players” to participate in selection trials even if standard eligibility conditions were not met.