3 min readNew DelhiFeb 22, 2025 07:19 AM IST
First published on: Feb 21, 2025 at 10:53 PM IST
The sports ministry aims to curb the practice of disgruntled athletes moving court after selection trials by introducing an open and transparent selection process. The ministry will push for the trials that are recorded on camera and in the presence of an observer. The process will be done to avoid any kind of premeditated bias while selecting the teams.
“All selection trials will be conducted on camera so that it is fair and square for all the athletes,” a ministry source said. Before every major event, such as the Asian Games and Olympics, multiple court cases are filed by athletes after the selection process. Athletes from sports like shooting and boxing have knocked on the door of the court before major tournaments such as the Olympics and World Championships.
“Federation can’t exploit in the name of autonomy. Only selections based on merit and performance should matter. The observers will be from the Ministry and Officials of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and it will be implemented across all the sports,” the source added.
Bid on track
India, via the Indian Olympic Association, has expressed interest in and submitted a formal letter of intent to host the 2036 Olympics. However, any movement on the bid is possible after the upcoming elections of the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “Our letter of intent is with the IOC. We are waiting for the Presidential elections of the IOC to finish so that our bid can move ahead,” the source said. The result of India’s bid for 2036 is expected by March next year.
India’s plan to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, two decades after they last hosted it, is in the final stage of paperwork. “We had a formal interaction with the Commonwealth Games Federation, and our formal expression of interest will be done soon,” an official with knowledge of the development said. The last date to submit an ‘Expression of Interest’ to host the 2030 CWG is March 31.
READ MORE: To safeguard its medals count, India wants to host sports dropped by Glasgow CWG, including badminton, cricket and hockey
WFI issue
The Indian wrestlers have been caught in an administrative mess as the Wrestling Federation of India remains suspended by the sports ministry, while United World Wrestling (UWW) recognizes it as the official body. Wrestlers have missed two consecutive Ranking Series, and as things stand, they might miss the Asian Championships next month.
A source revealed that the ministry is trying its best to resolve the stand-off and make sure that wrestlers don’t suffer. The ministry is expected to look at the court case ahead of the all-important Asian Championships and find a way out for the participation of the wrestlers. A no-show at the continental championships can be detrimental for the Indian wrestlers as United World Wrestling will bar them from competing in the World Championships later this year.
Indian wrestlers have been caught in an administrative mess as the Wrestling Federation of India remains suspended by the sports ministry 
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