SC permits Vinesh Phogat to compete in Asian Games trial

The Supreme Court permitted two-time World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat to participate in the Asian Games selection trials on Friday.

The trials are scheduled to be held in New Delhi and Lucknow on May 30 and 31, respectively.

Hearing the petition from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) challenging the High Court order allowing Vinesh to compete on May 30, the Bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe granted permission to the wrestler.

“We are not stopping, you go and participate,” Justice Narasimha said.

Justice Narasimha expressed reservations on the approach adopted by the Delhi High Court in its May 22 order as a hardship due to motherhood, when the issue was really about compliance with the ITA norms.

“We have some questions,” Justice Narasimha, told Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan, who was representing Vinesh.

Justice Narasimha, while acknowledging the talent and the achievements of Vinesh at the global level, observed that the global norms have to be followed.

“You are an excellent wrestler, you have made the country proud, but it's the country first. The High Court can't disrupt the entire schedule,” Justice Narasimha said.

He also took cognizance of a missed dope test and a whereabouts failure.

“What is concerning is when the ITA test is missed, it has a logical consequence, because Indian sports is integrally connected to the world sports. If some kind of disqualification appears at the global level, it reflects on India. You did not give the whereabouts for the doping test and missed the first doping test.”

Vinesh had missed the doping test in January this year, and had reasoned her absence to be present in the assembly as an MLA in Haryana. The ITA had not accepted the explanation.