Rodali Barua Challenges Taekwondo Selection for Asian Games in Delhi High Court

International taekwondo athlete Rodali Barua has filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court, contesting the dismissal of her plea for urgent interim relief concerning the selection of India's taekwondo team for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, 2026. Barua seeks to overturn a previous ruling and demands transparency in the selection process, emphasizing the urgency as the events are scheduled for October 1-3, 2026. This legal challenge highlights the complexities surrounding sports selection and the implications for athletes' opportunities on a global stage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 23, 2026, 00:17 IST

Rodali Barua's Legal Challenge

New Delhi, September 22: International taekwondo competitor Rodali Barua has taken her case to the Delhi High Court, contesting the rejection of her request for urgent interim relief regarding the selection process for India's taekwondo team for the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, 2026.

In her Letters Patent Appeal (LPA), Barua is primarily seeking to overturn the September 17 ruling made by a Single Judge and is requesting immediate consideration for inclusion in the Asian Games team.

The appeal also demands that the authorities disclose the basis on which India Taekwondo conducted the selection trials and compiled the list of athletes for the Games, including the selection criteria, trial results, and any recommendations made.

Additionally, Barua is asking for the preservation of all documents related to the selection of taekwondo athletes, such as applications, trial outcomes, selection criteria, minutes of meetings, communications, and approvals, until the final decision on her writ petition is reached.

She emphasizes the urgency of the situation, noting that the taekwondo events are set to take place from October 1 to 3, 2026, with a team submission deadline of September 26. Barua argues that missing this opportunity would deny her a chance that occurs only once every four years.

This appeal stems from a writ petition filed by Barua against the Union of India and others, focusing on the selection process for the taekwondo team and questioning the role of India Taekwondo in the trials.

Barua, who competes in the women's +73 kg category, is recognized as an international athlete and has been part of the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) initiative. The petition highlights her world ranking and her achievements in international competitions.

Furthermore, the petition references a directive from the Delhi High Court on April 27, 2026, which instructed the union government to form an ad-hoc committee to manage the functions of the National Sports Federation for Taekwondo until a suitable organization is recognized.

The appeal notes that on February 27, 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports indicated that neither the Taekwondo Federation of India nor India Taekwondo met the criteria to be recognized as the National Sports Federation.

Despite this, Barua alleges that India Taekwondo proceeded with selection trials in June 2026 for the Asian Games, leading her to seek legal recourse.

During the hearing for her urgent interim relief application, the Single Judge noted on September 17 that the Indian Olympic Association's counsel claimed the athletes had already been finalized and that the contingent had departed for the Games. Barua contested this assertion, highlighting that the taekwondo events were scheduled for October 1-3 and that the team was expected to leave around September 26.

The LPA is being represented by LexCuria Lawyers LLP, with advocates Atanu Saikia and Madhumita Bhattacharjee handling the case.