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Delhi High Court Seeks Fair Maternity Guidelines for Wrestlers
Vinesh Phogat wants to return to wrestling after having a baby.
She asked to compete in trials for an important 2026 wrestling championship.
The Wrestling Federation of India has rules requiring athletes to take part in certain competitions first.
Phogat says those rules are unfair because she could not compete while pregnant and caring for her newborn.
The federation says she is allowed to compete if she follows the current rules.
The Delhi High Court said women should not lose their career opportunities simply because they take time for marriage, pregnancy, or childbirth.
The judge asked the federation to create clearer rules and timelines.
These rules should protect athletes while also helping India choose its strongest competitors.
The court will decide what to do with Phogat’s application.
The Delhi High Court urged the Wrestling Federation of India to create guidelines supporting women athletes returning after maternity.
The court was hearing Vinesh Phogat’s request to compete in trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships.
Phogat says a September 7 eligibility circular unfairly excludes her because she missed specified competitions during maternity leave.
The Wrestling Federation of India says Phogat is not banned and may compete if she meets its existing eligibility policy.
The court criticized the lack of timelines and accommodations and said it would issue an order on the application.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, and the Wrestling Federation of India are involved.
- What
- The court considered Phogat’s request to participate in selection trials and called for fair guidelines for women returning after maternity.
- Where
- The hearing took place before the Delhi High Court; the trials are scheduled at Indira Gandhi Stadium, and the championship is scheduled in Astana, Kazakhstan.
- When
- The observations were made on Thursday; the selection trials are scheduled for September 14, and the championship is scheduled for October 24 to November 1.
- Why
- Phogat says the Wrestling Federation of India’s eligibility rules exclude athletes who missed qualifying competitions for maternity-related reasons.
Phogat’s Challenge
Federation’s Defense
Eligibility rules
Phogat’s Challenge
Phogat argues that the September 7 circular creates a closed pathway and excludes her because maternity prevented her from competing in specified qualifying events.
Federation’s Defense
The Wrestling Federation of India says Phogat has not been banned and can participate if she meets the existing policy.
Fairness after maternity
Phogat’s Challenge
Phogat seeks a structured alternative process and says athletes returning from maternity should not be disadvantaged by their absence from competition.
Federation’s Defense
The federation says other wrestlers have returned after maternity, regained their strength, and won medals for India.
Conduct toward Phogat
Phogat’s Challenge
Phogat’s counsel alleges that the federation’s actions, including its handling of show-cause proceedings, show malice, bias, and arbitrariness.
Federation’s Defense
The federation’s counsel says hearings were scheduled but Phogat did not attend, and that she was given a final opportunity.
Key facts
- Athlete
- Vinesh Phogat
- Federation
- Wrestling Federation of India
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Selection trials
- Scheduled for September 14 at Indira Gandhi Stadium
- Target championship
- 2026 Senior World Championships
- Championship location and dates
- Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1
- Phogat’s maternity
- She became a mother in July 2025
- Eligibility circular
- Issued by the Wrestling Federation of India on September 7
Quotes
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma
Delhi High Court judge hearing Vinesh Phogat’s petition
“This is the problem. A woman, she will get married, she will give birth to a child and in that interim period, men will go and win medals and then they will qualify for something and woman will have to sit back at home and look after the children. There should be something that you have to do about this also, otherwise this is being very unfair.”
telegraphindia.com
deccanchronicle.com
“This is a case of an institution deliberately targeting me. Prima facie I am able to show malice and bias on their part. WFI has displayed absolute arbitrariness in the case. She was informed of the selection criteria only on September 7 and the trials are scheduled on September 14.”
telegraphindia.com
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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