NEW DELHI – In a landmark ruling that has defended the rights of women athletes, the Delhi High Court on Saturday paved the way for Indian wrestling sensation Vinesh Phogat to vie for selection to the upcoming Asian Games 2026.
It is a huge blow for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which was trying its best to keep her away from the continent-wide competition. The Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia expressed their disappointment with the selection process adopted by the federation, calling it “obviously exclusionary.” The legal tussle began after the WFI disqualified Phogat from taking part in domestic matches without considering the time she had taken off due to motherhood.
It was clearly mentioned by the High Court that there is an urgent need for a change in the management systems of the sport institutions for the sake of safeguarding the interest of women athletes during their life stages.
Motherhood Does Not Create Obstacles
In addition to that, it was made clear by the bench that motherhood should not create any obstacles for a female player’s career or her status in the field of sports. “It should not come to pass that motherhood becomes a reason for exclusion or marginalization of female athletes like Phogat,” observed the bench.
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