Asian Games: HC dismisses boxers' plea to hold selection trials

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday dismissed the plea moved by three boxers, seeking to conduct final selection trials as per the National Sports Development Code of India, saying that conducting trials at this stage is not possible as the Asian Games are set to begin this week.

World championships silver medallist Amit Panghal (51kg), national champion Rohit Mor (57kg) and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Sagar Ahlawat (+92kg) had approached the high courts, challenging the selection of boxers by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) for the Asian Games without trial, after they were left out of the Indian squad for the Games in July.

They had questioned BFI's evaluation process for the selection of the Asian Games squad, demanding that trials be held in their weight categories.

"The court rejected the petition to hold trials as there is hardly any time left. The Asian Games are starting on September 23," Haryana-based sports activist Jaipal Dhankhar, who is a fellow petitioner, said.

Detailed order by Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj is not yet available. "it is expected to come in a day or two," he added.

According to BFI's new selection policy, which has been in place since this year, boxers undergo an evaluation process for three weeks where they are judged on various parameters.

Deepak Bhoria (51kg), Sachin Siwach (57kg), and Narender Berwal (+92kg) have been selected for the Games ahead of Panghal, Mor, and Ahlawat, respectively.

The boxing events begin on Sunday.

With inputs from PTI