Asian Games sailing squad to be decided by fresh regatta, stand-off persists

As sailors Varsha Gautham and Ekta Yadav filed petitions in the Delhi High Court regarding the selection procedure, YAI and IOA had been taking different sides which had left the Asian Games sailing squad incomplete. In such a situation YAI suggested a fresh regatta which would confirm the player to be included in the squad.

This course of action has been accepted by all the parties as the regatta would decide whether Varsha or Ekta gets a place in the Asian Games sailing squad for 49er FX team. There will be another hearing on Wednesday to discuss other details and the association which would take the responsibility of conducting the regatta financially.

“The regatta will be held in Jakarta in two-three weeks. Whoever wins will make the final list,” said Captain Ajay Narang, who is a senior official YAI.

Despite Varsha and Sweta accomplishing a silver in the Asian Sailing Championship, Ekta and Shaila who got a bronze medal, were given berths in Asian Games sailing squad owing to have topped the trials in Chennai. The decision made the YAI selection committee provoke Varsha to file a petition in the Delhi High Court, mentioning an arbitrary selection procedure. After analyzing the situation, IOA was in favour of recruiting Varsha and Sweta in the team.

The case was discarded on July 7 as the court was not ready to meddle in the YAI selection matters. Hence, YAI suggested a fresh regatta to reach a conclusion regarding the selection.

“This court is certainly not equipped to evaluate the merits of their decision and the same is beyond the scope of judicial review,” Justice Vibhu Bakhru stated.

However on July 7, IOA recommended that Varsha and Sweta be given entry into the team. Miffed by the situation, Ekta too filed a petition in the court for which a hearing came up on Monday which the IOA officials could not attend it, hence it was postponed to another date.