Delhi High Court sends notice to WFI over Asian Games trial exemptions

WRESTLERS VINESH PHOGAT and Bajrang Punia may have to participate in trials for a place in the Asian Games after all.

A day after the ad-hoc committee in charge of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) exempted them from trials citing their record of winning prestigious medals for India in major international events, two wrestlers Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal moved to the Delhi High Court, challenging that deicision.

Justice Subramonium Prasad said on the matter,

“What is the basis of the selection of these two persons other than the fact that they are good sportsmen? Have you done any kind of selection process? The entire case it seems is that there has to be some kind of trial... what they say is that past performance alone cannot be the basis.”

The Court has issued a notice to WFI ovcer the exemption, asking them to reply immediately. The next hearing is set for Friday, 21st July.

Both the wrestlers granted exemption from trials were engaged in a prolonged protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment and molestation.

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