CHENNAI:THE Delhi High Court has observed that new trials to select the sailing squad for the Asian Games should be held by a third party who do not come under the purview of either the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) or the Yatching Association of India (YAI). This paves the door for Indonesia or Singapore to conduct trials if they are willing to host it.
There is no set timeframe within which the trials should be conducted. However, confusion reigned as Varsha Gautham’s camp and YAI’s camp did not conur on the final date for the submission of entries to IOA. While the former said the last date was June 30, a YAI lawyer insisted that it was July 15. The final hearing has been posted for July 17.
Varsha was hopeful of besting the trial and getting Jakarta ticket. “Because of this trial, we have lost so much time,” she said. “Now if they conduct a trial, we will give it our all.” She was also of the opinion that doing this sort of a thing right before a major meet will affect India’s chances.