Aditi Chauhan, MM Somaiya to be government observers in Vinesh Phogat trial in Asia

Former footballer Aditi Chauhan and Olympic gold medalist ex-hockey captain MM Somaiya will be the two observers from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Sports Ministry when Vinesh Phogat competes in the high-profile women’s matches for the Asian Games here on Saturday.

According to a well-placed source, Chauhan would represent the IOA and Somaiya would be an observer from the ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here.

The 31-year-old Phogat was given the opportunity to attend the trial on Friday from the Supreme Court.

The Delhi High Court cleared her to fight for the first time after she challenged the suspension imposed by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) citing her procedural and disciplinary violations, including missing a drug test last year.

WFI challenged the HC order in the apex court, which also refused to stop Phogat.

“Today at this stage when the apex court has issued the order, hopes and expectations have risen. Telling her to come home and we can’t do anything will not be right. We are very brave to tell you this,” the senator told a lawyer speaking to WFI.

The Delhi HC asked the ministry to appoint an observer for the courts and accused the WFI of trying to prevent Phogat from contesting.

Chauhan, a pioneering former goalkeeper who played professionally in the UK for West Ham United, is currently the IOA (Protection and National Olympic Academy) Athletes Commission Program Director, a role he was appointed to earlier this year.

She made 57 appearances for India before retiring.

Somaiya was part of the 1980 Olympic gold hockey team and captained the 1988 Seoul Games. Somaiya is also an Arjuna awardee.

Earlier this month, the WFI declared Phogat ineligible for domestic events until June 26, saying she had still not completed the mandatory six-month notice period for a retired athlete to return.

However, Phogat appeared at the National Open Ranking Tournament in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda only to return without competing. Her bitter dispute with the WFI dates back to 2023 when she led a street protest against the then federation Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and accused him of sexual harassment.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

29 May 2026 21:03 IST