YAI to hold a regatta over a spot in Asian Games sailing team
The Delhi High Court has ordered the Yachting Association of India (YAI) to hold a regatta (in August) over a spot in India’s Asian Games sailing team for 49er FX team. The decision has been taken to break the deadlock between the two professional sailors, Varsha Gautham and Ekta Yadav.
The issue started-off after the selection process conducted by the YAI in Chennai. The YAI picked Ekta and her crew member Shaila Charis over Varsha and her partner Sweta Shervegar to represent India in the Asian Games. The former duo won a bronze at the Asian Sailing Championship (ASC) while the latter finished ahead of them to achieve a silver medal. YAI’s selection committee chose Ekta and her partner (who topped the trials) without even considering the results at the ASC.
Varsha then filed a petition mentioning the botched selection procedure and as a result, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) recommended the names of Varsha and Sweta to the Delhi HC. Justice Vibhu Bakhru disposed off the case on July 7, stating that the case was beyond the legal parameters and the court could not take a decision. The court further stated that it could not interfere in the selection matters of the YAI.
“This court is certainly not equipped to evaluate the merits of their decision and the same is beyond the scope of judicial review,” stated Justice Bakhru.
IOA nonetheless named Varsha and Sweta as the official entry on July 7. IOA chief Narinder Batra said that they have chosen Varsha and Sweta on the merit of their performance at the Asian Sailing Championship.
“We have selected Varsha and Sweta on the basis of their silver medal performance in the ASC. On the other hand, Ekta and Shaila won a bronze,” said Batra.
As a result, the two warring parties (IOA and YAI) filed counter-complaints stating their opposite choices. The court finally ruled that a fresh regatta would be held to break the stand-off. Captain Ajay Narang, who is a senior official at YAI, revealed that the regatta will be held in Indonesia in the month of August and the YAI has planned to keep the trails open for all.
“Whoever wins the regatta in Jakarta will be included in the final list. It will be held between August 4-8 and the YAI intends to make it open for all,” revealed Captain Narang.
However, there is an uncertainty over the availability of the course in Jakarta. The YAI has written to the Indonesians with a request to host the open as all the required equipment have been shipped.