Asian Games 2026: Delhi High Court Seeks IOA CEO's Presence Over Equestrian Team Selection Dispute

The Division Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the direction while hearing appeals filed by riders Anush Agarwalla and Sudipti Hajela, challenging the June 29 judgment of a Single Judge declining to interfere with the selection process.

The Bench observed that the proposal made by the Union of India appeared to be a practical solution to resolve the impasse but noted that the EFI Ad-hoc Committee had declined to consent to it.

Union Proposed Independent Evaluation

Appearing for the Union of India, Advocate Udit Dedhiya informed the Court, on instructions, that considering the overall facts and circumstances, the Centre was willing to undertake a fresh evaluation of the rankings of the six athletes with the assistance of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The proposal came after the Court had earlier expressed concern over the failure to conduct additional competitions under Clause 15(b) of the Selection Guidelines.

However, Dedhiya submitted that conducting fresh selection trials before July 12, the deadline relevant to the Asian Games process, was logistically impossible because the riders and horses were stationed in different countries and international quarantine requirements made organising such an event unfeasible.

Counsel for both appellants agreed to the proposal.

EFI refused to accept proposal

Despite the consensus between the Union government and the appellants, the EFI Ad-hoc Committee refused to agree.

Advocate Kapil Modi, appearing for the Ad-hoc Committee, informed the Bench that the Committee preferred to contest the appeals on merits instead of accepting the proposal suggested by the Union government.

The IOA, meanwhile, submitted through its counsel that it lacked the technical expertise to independently conduct the selection exercise.

Court Questions Continuation of EFI Ad-Hoc Committee

The Bench also raised a significant issue regarding the legal authority of the EFI Ad-hoc Committee to continue functioning.

The Court noted that the Ad-hoc Committee had been constituted by the IOA pursuant to earlier directions of the High Court after EFI ceased to have a duly elected Executive Committee.

However, the Bench pointed out that the Committee's tenure, as stated before the Court, was three months and had expired on June 27, 2026.

Questioning the basis of its continued functioning, the Court asked the EFI Ad-hoc Committee to explain under what authority it was continuing to discharge functions ordinarily entrusted to an elected Executive Committee.

Counsel for the Committee sought time to obtain instructions on the issue.

IOA CEO asked to Assist Court

Observing that the IOA had constituted the Ad-hoc Committee and therefore retained supervisory powers over its functioning, the Bench requested the IOA President to nominate the organisation's CEO to remain personally present before the Court on July 3.

If the CEO is unavailable, the Court directed that another senior-ranking IOA official be deputed to assist the Court.

The Bench expressed hope that the presence of the IOA's top official would facilitate "an amicable and practical solution" to a dispute affecting not only the parties before the Court but also India's preparations for the Asian Games.

The matter has been listed high on board on July 3, 2026 for further hearing.

Last hearing 

Notably on Wednesday came down heavily on the Ad hoc Executive Committee and the Selection Committee of the EFI, questioning their failure to adhere to the prescribed selection criteria while finalising the Indian Dressage Team for the 20th Asian Games, and had directed the Union of India and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to assist the Court on how the alleged illegality could now be remedied.

Bench: Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia

Hearing Date: July 2, 2026