Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) said that it has received a reply from Vinesh Phogat on the show-cause notice served to her and it would act according to its rules and procedures.
The federation issued a statement after the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea by WFI against a Delhi High Court order, allowing Vinesh to participate in selection trials, terming it as “infructuous” in view of subsequent developments.
“WFI has received the Respondent’s (Vinesh’s) reply to the Show Cause Notice, which shall be adjudicated in accordance with WFI’s rules and procedures,” WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh said in the statement.
On May 9, WFI had issued a show-cause notice to Vinesh, accusing her of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations.
“WFI further notes that the conduct of certain wrestlers at the Selection Trials is under consideration and a decision in that regard is yet to be taken,” he said, referring to Vinesh’s conduct without naming her in the statement.
On May 22, a division bench of the Delhi High Court allowed Vinesh to take part in the Asian Games selection trials. The court said WFI’s selection policy was unfair because it did not leave any room to consider an accomplished athlete like Vinesh, who was making a comeback after a maternity break.
The WFI challenged the High Court’s decision, but on May 29, the Supreme Court allowed Vinesh to participate in the selection trials held on May 30 and 31.
However, Vinesh’s hopes of making the Indian team for the Asian Games ended after she lost to Meenakshi Goyat in the 53kg semifinals.
The WFI also reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair selection process for all wrestlers.
“WFI wishes to make it unequivocally clear that all future selections shall be strictly merit-based, without exception or exemption to any wrestler, regardless of stature or past achievements.”
“There shall be no shortcuts to national selection,” the federation said.
Earlier this month, the WFI had declared Vinesh ineligible to compete in domestic events until June 26. The federation cited the mandatory six-month notice period that applies to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping regulations.
Despite the ruling, Vinesh remained defiant and turned up to compete at the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
