Delhi High Court Allows Vinesh Phogat to Compete in Asian Games Trials, Says Motherhood Cannot Bar Female Athletes

The Delhi High Court has allowed wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games, observing that motherhood and maternity-related absence cannot be treated as grounds to exclude women athletes from competition.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the order while hearing Phogat’s appeal against an earlier single-judge decision that had declined interim relief.

The dispute arose after the Wrestling Federation of India restricted eligibility for the Asian Games trials to medal winners from specified national tournaments held in 2025 and 2026. Phogat was unable to participate in those events as she had taken a maternity break following the birth of her child in July 2025.

The Court observed that female athletes undergo significant physical and professional challenges during pregnancy and post-partum recovery, which sporting authorities must recognise with “institutional sensitivity.” It held that motherhood cannot become a professional disadvantage or a basis for discrimination.

The Bench also criticised the Wrestling Federation of India for remarks made in a show-cause notice issued to Phogat over her disqualification from the Paris Olympics, calling the comments “deplorable” and appearing “vindictive.”

Holding that Phogat had made out a strong prima facie case, the Court directed the federation to permit her participation in the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. It further ordered video recording of the trials and appointment of independent observers from the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association to ensure transparency.