3 weeks ago
High Court questions surfing federation's Asian Games selection power
Ramesh Budihal is a surfer from India who won a bronze medal at the Asian Surfing Championship.
He wanted to compete in the Asian Games, a big sports event that happens every four years.
Surfing is being included in the Asian Games for the very first time.
The Surfing Federation of India picked another surfer, Sivaraj Babu, to represent the country, and made Budihal only the first reserve.
Budihal felt this was unfair and asked a judge to help.
The judge said the federation must support its athletes properly and cannot act like it is above them.
The federation then admitted that its Executive Council does not have the power to choose who goes to the Asian Games.
The federation suggested a surf-off between the two surfers, but Budihal said the selection rules do not allow that.
The judge will give his final decision later.
The Asian Games will be held in Japan.
The Surfing Federation of India admitted before the Karnataka High Court that its Executive Council has no power to select Asian Games surfing participants.
The federation selected Sivaraj Babu as the participant and Ramesh Budihal as the first reserve for the men's surfing event, which is in the Asian Games for the first time.
Budihal, 25, is India's only Asian Surfing Championship medal winner, having won bronze at the 2025 championship in Tamil Nadu.
The federation proposed a surf-off between Babu and Budihal, but Budihal's counsel declined, citing the federation's own selection policy.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj reserved the court's order after hearing both parties, following a hearing on Thursday.
Budihal's plea alleges the selection decision was arbitrary, discriminatory and unreasonable, violating Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
- Who
- Ramesh Budihal, a 25-year-old surfer who challenged the Surfing Federation of India before Justice Suraj Govindaraj of the Karnataka High Court
- What
- The court questioned and then heard the federation admit that its Executive Council has no power to select Sivaraj Babu over Budihal for the men's surfing event at the Asian Games
- Where
- Karnataka High Court in India; the Asian Games will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4
- When
- Hearings were held on Wednesday and Thursday, with the court reserving its order; the federation's selection decision was made on June 23
- Why
- Budihal alleges the selection was arbitrary, discriminatory and unreasonable, depriving India's only Asian Surfing Championship medal winner of the chance to represent the country
Athlete's View
Federation's View
Selection authority
Athlete's View
Budihal argued the Executive Council cannot pick athletes and requested that a fresh selection committee be constituted to choose participants for the Asian Games.
Federation's View
The federation initially claimed it had the right to select and nominate the participant of its choice, but later admitted its Executive Council has no such power under its bye-laws.
Selection merits
Athlete's View
Budihal said he is India's only Asian Surfing Championship medal winner and that no reason was cited for not selecting him.
Federation's View
The federation said it relied on past performance, current form and cumulative participation in international events, noting Budihal was eliminated in the first round except at the Asian Championship.
Surf-off proposal
Athlete's View
Budihal's counsel rejected a proposed surf-off, saying the federation's selection policy does not allow such an option and demands selection by past performance or a coin toss.
Federation's View
The federation suggested a surf-off between Babu and Budihal to select the participant to be sent to Japan.
Key facts
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Presiding judge
- Justice Suraj Govindaraj
- Petitioner
- Ramesh Budihal, 25
- Selected athlete
- Sivaraj Babu (participant), Ramesh Budihal (first reserve)
- Selection decision date
- June 23
- Event
- Men's surfing at the Asian Games (first time included)
- Asian Games dates
- September 19 to October 4, in Japan
- Petitioner's achievement
- Bronze medal at Asian Surfing Championship 2025, Tamil Nadu
- Key admission
- Federation's Executive Council has no by-law power to select participants
- Constitutional grounds cited
- Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India
Quotes
Federation’s counsel
Legal counsel for the Surfing Federation of India
“"On the face of it, it is very clear that they have not followed their own policy. I am the only qualified person, and I only got the medal representing the country, and now I am being deprived of the opportunity to represent the country and sit as reserve."”
indianexpress.com
“"Yesterday the court had asked as to where in the bye‑laws is there a power with the executive council to select the participants—I am saying there is none."”
indianexpress.com
Justice Suraj Govindaraj
Judge at the Karnataka High Court
“Without the athletes you are nobody, don’t try to be over and above the athletes”
indianexpress.com
“With great power comes great responsibility”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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