Rio 2016: Delhi High Court directs WFI to hear Sushil Kumar's plea over selection trial

The  Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed Wrestling Federation to hear Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar's plea over selection trial for 74 kg freestyle category at Rio Games.

Two time Olympic medal winner Kumar on Monday moved to court in a bid to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

Sushil Kumar, who had missed the World Championships for the quota berth for Rio Olympics citing a shoulder injury, had entered a squabble with the WFI over a ticket to Rio.

​The court also issued notice to Sports Ministry & Wrestling Federation of India on Kumar's plea to conduct selection trial in the category.

In his absence, Maharashtrian wrestler Narsingh Yadav claimed the quota berth for 2016 Olympics in the World Championships, leaving behind Sushil Kumar. But Sushil Kumar demanded trials between him and Narsingh Yadav to determine who will represent India in Rio 2016. Despite Kumar calling for a trial, Narsingh was adamant on not having one which put the WFI in a fix.

As per rules, the quota berth is for the country and it was expected that trials would be held to pick between Narsingh and Sushil before the Games. However, with Narsingh staking his claim for the Olympics, the WFI got in a fix as it fears demands from other wrestlers in the remaining seven weight categories. When the Sports Ministry was asked to intervene to resolve the matter, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal refused to do so claiming this would be against the autonomy of the sports federation.

The WFI had earlier claimed that though Sushil Kumar's name was not included in the list of probables at the 2016 Rio Olympics, it does not mean he will not participate in the Olympics. 

But Sushil Kumar felt more heat when his name was not included in the preparatory camp for the Rio Olympics which is to be held in Sonepat (Haryana) from Wednesday following which he decided to move to Delhi High Court seeking a trial for a ticket to Rio.

(With PTI inputs)