The development comes a day after the Delhi High Court directed the WFI to allow the Olympian and two-time World Championships medallist to compete in the trials, which are scheduled for May 30 and 31 in New Delhi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The court also ordered that the entire selection process be video-recorded and monitored by independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Confirming the federation\u2019s stance following the ruling, WFI sources said the body would comply with the court\u2019s directions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe respect the court order and the WFI will not challenge the decision. Let her (Vinesh Phogat) compete in the trials,\u201d WFI sources told IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, the federation indicated that logistical complications could arise even if Phogat qualifies through the trials, as the list of participants for the competition had already been sent to Japan earlier this month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked about the possibility of Phogat making the final squad if she wins the trials, the sources added, \u201cIt is not in our hands now. If, by any chance, we manage to include her as an iconic player, she will have to compete in the 50kg category.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While granting interim relief to Phogat, the Delhi High Court strongly criticised the WFI\u2019s selection framework and observed that motherhood could not be used as a basis to exclude female athletes from professional opportunities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya held that the federation\u2019s policy failed to adequately account for Phogat\u2019s maternity-related break and post-partum recovery period, which overlapped with the qualifying competitions listed under the eligibility criteria.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMotherhood must be viewed as a natural and deeply significant aspect of life that deserves accommodation and institutional sensitivity. Therefore, the law must ensure that motherhood does not become a ground for exclusion or marginalisation of female athletes such as the appellant,\u201d the court observed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Bench further noted that preventing Phogat from participating in the trials would render her pending writ petition meaningless, adding that allowing her to compete was necessary \u201cin the interest of sport and justice.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The court also criticised the language used by the WFI in a show-cause notice issued to the wrestler earlier this month, particularly references to her disqualification from the Paris Olympics final after failing the weigh-in. The Bench described the federation\u2019s remarks calling the incident a \u201cnational embarrassment\u201d as \u201cdeplorable\u201d and \u201cvindictive.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Phogat had challenged the federation\u2019s Asian Games selection policy issued in February, along with a subsequent circular and show-cause notice, arguing that she had been unfairly excluded despite informing both international and domestic authorities about her maternity-related sabbatical.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The court also criticised the language used by the WFI in a show-cause notice issued to the wrestler earlier this month, particularly references to her disqualification from the Paris Olympics final after failing the weigh-in. The Bench described the federation\u2019s remarks calling the incident a \u201cnational embarrassment\u201d as \u201cdeplorable\u201d and \u201cvindictive.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u2013IANS <\/p>\r\n\r\n