Supreme Court allows Vinesh Phogat to participate in Asian Games 2026 selection trials

The Supreme Court on Friday (May 29, 2026) allowed wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials to be held on May 30.

A Bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha said Ms. Phogat needs a chance as she has made the country proud multiple times in the past in the wrestling ring.

The Court hearing saw questions raised about Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) arguments that she had missed trials and her whereabouts had not been known. Ms. Phogat had responded that she had become a mother and was also engaged in her duties as a Haryana MLA.

Senior advocate Madhavi Divan, for Ms. Phogat, said her new motherhood should not be viewed against her.

Ms. Divan said Ms. Phogat was only seeking an opportunity to participate in the selection trials. She agreed with the court that the “country came first before anything or anybody”.

On May 22, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court had given its nod to the participation of Ms. Phogat in the upcoming trials for the Asian Games, saying the WFI’s selection policy was exclusionary for the lack of discretion to consider an iconic player like her, who is returning from a maternity break.

The High Court had ordered that the selection trials, to be held on May 30-31, should be video-recorded by the WFI and an independent observer from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to remain present.

The apex court said quick intervention by Courts was not ultimately the solution to issues affecting sporting bodies, athletes and players.

In fact, the Bench said quick and sweeping interventions by Courts may end up aggravating the dispute.

“The same kind of problems we are seeing in football,” Justice Narasimha said.

The judge said answers to sporting disputes cannot be found in courts.

The court highlighted that these issues muust be resolved within the sporting domain by strong handholding among participants, sporting bodies and players.

“Arguments would only become shriller in court halls. Ultimately, the courts would become vulnerable,” Justice Narasimha said.