The Delhi High Court has sought the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) stand on the eligibility of athletes selected for India’s equestrian contingent for the 2026 Asian Games while hearing a plea challenging the selection of two riders in the Show Jumping category.
Justice Mini Pushkarna was hearing a writ petition filed by Kekhriesilie Rio, who has challenged the selection of respondents 4 and 5 to the Indian National Team for the Asian Games 2026 in the Show Jumping discipline. The petitioner has also sought his own inclusion in the team in place of the selected riders.
During the hearing, the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) informed the Court that it had received an email from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) dated July 1, 2026, stating that, upon scrutiny, certain athletes and teams had prima facie been found not to satisfy the prescribed eligibility criteria for inclusion in the Indian contingent. EFI further submitted that it had already responded to the communication through an email dated July 3, 2026, and the Court took the document on record.
In view of the communication, the Court directed counsel appearing for the IOA to make a statement on the next date of hearing regarding the decision taken by the Association pursuant to its July 1 email questioning the eligibility of certain athletes.
The EFI also placed before the Court an email dated June 24, 2026, received from the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). As reflected in the email reproduced in the order, the FEI informed stakeholders that the deadline for definitive entries for the 2026 Asian Games had been extended from July 1, 2026, to July 15, 2026, while noting that no further extensions would be granted.
Taking note of the communication, Justice Pushkarna directed the IOA to obtain instructions regarding the FEI’s email as well. The matter has been listed for further consideration on July 9, 2026, in the supplementary list.
