Wrestlers issue: HC frowns at WFI for not following sports code

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday came down heavily on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for not following the sports code in its entirety while selecting wrestlers for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The court also observed that the Centre did not ensure implementation of the code.
"When there is a code it should be followed in letter and spirit. You can't follow one part and not the others.What is the problem in adhering to the sports code? To cut short, you have not followed all these norms," a vacation bench of Justice V Kameswar Rao said to WFI.
"It was your (Centre) duty, to ensure that sports code is implemented. The procedure (for selection) has been laid down by you. But it appears that no trials were held," the court said to the Centre, while hearing the plea of five wrestlers who have alleged that players have been selected for the games without any trials being held.
The wrestlers have contended that selection trials prior to any international event, like the 2014 CWG, is mandatory according to the 2011 National Sports Development Code and sought that WFI be de-recognised for not adhering to it.
WFI, on its part, contended before the bench that it has tried to adhere to the sports code to the best of its ability, but since it functions in an informal manner it has its limitations.
It also said that wrestlers for the 2014 CWG were selected on the basis of the past performance and the laurels won by them for the nation and added that holding of trials at this juncture could cause some injury to them.
The wrestlers, however, have opposed WFI's claims saying that trials were held for the women's wrestling team which was twice changed after the deadline of June 11.
"Deadline of June 11, 2014 is a farce. As per their (WFI) affidavit, the list of players in the female wrestling team has been changed and there is possibility of further changes," advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for three of the five wrestlers, told the court.
WFI had on earlier hearings said that names for the games had already been sent as deadline for it was June 11.
The court will continue to hear arguments on the issue on June 30.