New Delhi: The controversy surrounding Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has stirred significant debate across the country. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has deemed Phogat ineligible for the upcoming Asian Games. This decision followed her exclusion from the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, which the WFI attributed to regulations concerning retirement and anti-doping protocols.
The Delhi High Court has criticized the WFI’s decision, expressing discontent over their stance on allowing prominent athletes to compete. A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia emphasized that the WFI’s actions reflect poorly on their governance. They mandated that Vinesh Phogat should be allowed to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games.
Moreover, the court suggested establishing a special expert panel to assess Phogat’s eligibility, noting that the Sports Authority of India often makes exceptions to eligibility criteria for unique cases.
The High Court highlighted that Phogat became a mother in July 2025, and the WFI’s ruling on her ineligibility came merely ten months later. The bench remarked on the importance of celebrating motherhood, urging that personal circumstances should not hinder an athlete’s career. “She became a mother in July 2025. We are in May. She is a wrestler of international repute. Why can’t it be presumed that you changed it (selection criteria) for her? Whatever may be the feud or dispute, why should the cause of sports suffer? Motherhood is celebrated in the country; should it come to the detriment of a person?” the court stated, as reported by the Times of India.
The WFI stated that Phogat would remain ineligible to compete until June 26, 2026, citing a mandatory six-month notice period under anti-doping rules for athletes returning from retirement.
