The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was criticized by the Delhi High Court on Friday for declaring renowned grappler Vinesh Phogat “ineligible” to compete un domestic tournaments. The court also stated that it would issue an order regarding her eligibility to compete in the next Asian Games selection trials.
Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia’s bench noted that the WFI was refusing the Olympian the chance to compete in the trials despite the international body’s approval, and the federation’s departure from the previous practice of allowing reputable athletes to participate based on prior performance “speaks volumes.”
It claimed that Phogat, a well-known wrestler worldwide, should not be “denounced” for becoming a mother and that she is looking to return after a maternity leave.
The bench emphasized that the federation should not act with “vengeance” because motherhood is cherished in the nation.
The court noted that Phogat had been rejected as a result of the WFI policy, notwithstanding the WFI counsel’s clarification that the selection criteria do not exclude new moms and that the problem in this case stemmed from her decision to retire.
The court stated that an athlete should focus on preparation rather than litigation and that if she had not been a mother, she would have participated and became eligible.
The Center’s attorney argued that if Phogat passes the trials, the Sports Authority of India’s framework allows the eligibility requirements to be loosened, allowing her to compete in the Asian Games.
However, the attorney underlined that the WFI must loosen the requirements for her to participate in the selection trials.
He added that the entire exercise would be videotaped and that the trials may be carried out under the direction of a WFI technical team in front of impartial observers chosen by the Indian Olympic Association and the Center.
In addition to asking Phogat to represent the federation, the WFI attorney asked the court to schedule the case for Monday. But the bench stated, “We will pass orders.”
Phogat’s appeal against a May 18 single-judge judgment denying her urgent remedy regarding her participation in the selection trials for this year’s Asian Games on May 30–31 despite being deemed “ineligible” by the WFI was being heard by the court. Phogat contested the WFI’s selection process and circular in her appeal, which restricted participation in the Asian Games trials to medal winners of specific competitions.
Phogat claimed that a “closed and inflexible gate-keeping mechanism” that was arbitrary and discriminatory was formed because the “qualification window” selected by WFI significantly coincided with her announced sabbatical due to pregnancy and postpartum recuperation.
On Friday, Phogat’s senior counsel pleaded with the bench to allow her to take part in the proceedings, arguing that the show-cause notice she received on May 9, the day before she was scheduled to attend a domestic event in Gonda, demonstrated that “somebody is clutching at straws” to remove her.
The court complained about the show-cause letter, calling Phogat’s Olympic disqualification in Paris a “national shame” and asking why it shouldn’t be assumed that the WFI altered the selection criteria for her. Additionally, it questioned why the show cause that was given to her earlier this month included the 2024 Olympic episode.
“Was it a national shame? She was in the finals. How did the people of the country look at the event? Would you describe it as a national shame? Is that how you are serving the cause of wrestling in the country? What was the mood of the country at that time,” the court stated.
It went on to say that the WFI’s selection procedure was “absolutely retrograde” and inquired as to whether the Center was consulted when the WFI modified it.
“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 orally remarked.
“The change in circular says all. Don’t conduct yourself like this. This is not in the best interest of sports. Deviation from the earlier circular speaks volumes,” it added.
The government counsel argued that the framework established by the Sports Authority of India enables relaxation of qualifying rules in some situations, and earlier today the court had orally requested that the Center form an expert panel to assess Phogat.
Citing the required six-month notice period associated with athletes coming from retirement under anti-doping regulations, the WFI had earlier this month ruled that Phogat was ineligible to compete in domestic events until June 26, 2026.
However, Phogat appeared at the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda with a belligerent attitude.
She had taken part in the 2023 female wrestlers’ protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the WFI president at the time, for allegedly engaging in sexual harassment.
She was 100 grams overweight during the morning weigh-in, which banned her from the 50 kg Olympic finals in August 2024.
