Vinesh Phogat case: Delhi HC to examine how mothers can balance sports career

Vinesh Phogat

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has indicated it will examine and adjudicate upon the larger question of how motherhood and maternity are to be balanced against the demands of a sporting career. The question arose during the hearing of a petition by wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who became a mother in July 2025 and has returned from maternity leave, seeking permission to participate in the women's selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships.Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, in an interim order, refused to allow the grappler to participate in the election trials scheduled to be held at Indira Gandhi Stadium on September 14. The court opined that the eligibility criteria applicable to all athletes ought not to be relaxed in favour of Phogat alone, particularly when such relaxation may have consequences for other similarly situated athletes who are not before it.

"This court is also mindful that selection to represent the country at an international championship carries with it considerations extending beyond the individual claim of any particular athlete," HC observed.But it also added that the court is "conscious that the larger question as to how motherhood and maternity are to be balanced against the demands of a sporting career, and whether an athlete ought to require to choose between motherhood and pursuing her career, merits careful consideration. However, that issue is yet to be finally examined and adjudicated upon in the present proceedings."