Olympian Vinesh Phogat Secures Supreme Court Backing for Asian Games Trials
Olympian Vinesh Phogat has been permitted by the Supreme Court to participate in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials, amidst concerns over judicial interference in sports administration. The Delhi High Court's orders for supervised trials followed Phogat's challenge to the Wrestling Federation of India's selection criteria.
The Supreme Court of India has greenlit veteran wrestler Vinesh Phogat's participation in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games, overriding previous apprehensions about judicial overreach in athletics administration. The Court criticized any hasty judicial meddling in sports matters as potentially disruptive to both national and international event schedules.
During Friday's proceedings, the Court expressed its belief in Phogat's impressive athletic credentials but emphasized national interest as paramount. It also highlighted the controversial handling of the case by the Delhi High Court, cautioning against setting precedents for frequent judicial intervention in sports affairs.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court's directives facilitating Phogat's trial participation remain intact. The selection process is subject to video recording and oversight by independent observers from the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association, assuring transparency. Phogat's ongoing legal challenge against the Wrestling Federation's selection policy will be further reviewed in the coming days.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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