Men will go and win medals…: Delhi HC highlights women athletes' interests at Vinesh Phogat case hearing
· Sports · Hindustan Times, Times of India
The Delhi High Court dismissed Vinesh Phogat's plea for provisional inclusion in the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma noted that the eligibility criteria set by the Wrestling Federation of India apply uniformly to all athletes. The court held that allowing Phogat to compete without meeting these requirements would create a special exception for her. During the hearing, the bench highlighted the need for sporting rules to balance national interest with the challenges women own face due to pregnancy and childbirth. The court did not express a final opinion on the validity of the eligibility circular or pending disciplinary proceedings against her.
Why it matters
The ruling highlights the legal tension between rigid sports eligibility criteria and the need for policy considerations for female athletes during life stages.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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