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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday came down heavily on the Wrestling Federation of India for declaring celebrated wrestler Vinesh Phogat “ineligible” for domestic competitions, questioning whether the federation had changed its rules specifically to target the star grappler after her maternity break.A bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia orally observed that the federation’s conduct was “not in the best interest of sports” and directed the Centre to constitute an expert panel to evaluate Phogat’s fitness and eligibility ahead of the upcoming Asian Games selection trials. “Ask the experts to evaluate her chances… Ensure that she participates,” the court told the government counsel during the hearing.The bench also made strong remarks on the federation’s approach toward the wrestler, stressing that motherhood should never become a disadvantage for an athlete.“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?” the court orally remarked.“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?” it added.‘Deviation from earlier circular speaks volumes’The court strongly questioned the WFI’s sudden shift from its earlier practice of allowing reputed athletes to compete despite exceptional circumstances.“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,” the bench observed.Phogat had challenged a single-judge order dated May 18 that denied her immediate relief regarding participation in the Asian Games selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31.Her counsel argued that the federation’s May 9 show-cause notice — issued just before her participation in a domestic event in Gonda — suggested deliberate attempts to keep her out.The court also expressed displeasure over the wording of the notice, which reportedly described her Paris Olympics disqualification as a “national shame”.The WFI had barred Phogat from domestic events till June 26, 2026, citing anti-doping rules mandating a six-month notice period for athletes returning from retirement.
