Sailing News: IOA directed by Court to pick sailing team

The Delhi High court has directed the Indian Olympic Association to take a final call on which team will participate in the women’s sailing 49er FX category, after a controversy with three pairs staking a claim. The court also directed the IOA to exclude the choice standards, minutes of the assembly of the choice committee of the Yachting Affiliation of India, and the representations given by them. The YAI had decided to conduct a trial following the July 19 order of the Delhi High Court. YAI wanted the country’s top three pairs to travel to Jakarta a fortnight before Asian Games begin, not as a part of their preparation, but to engage in a battle with each other in a last-ditch attempt to determine the team for women’s 49er FX category on August 4. However, the organising committee of the Asian Games denied the YAI permission to conduct the last-minute trials after other countries objected because they believed the Indian team would get an unfair advantage by testing waters so close to the Games. Following the denial by the organizers, the IOA was directed by the high court to take a decision independently. Now IOA will have to give an independent decision on the basis of the merits of the sailors, which shall be final.