{
  "id": 4189228,
  "title": "Karnataka HC refuses relief to surfer Ramesh Budihal over Asian Games selection",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/karnataka-hc-refuses-relief-to-surfer-ramesh-budihal-over-asian-games",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-29T12:20:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/karnataka-hc-refuses-relief-to-surfer-ramesh-budihal-over-asian-games-selection-10854812/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Karnataka High Court ruled on Saturday against surfers' rights to have their selection challenged in the Asia Games, dismissing a petition from Ramesh Budihal. The court criticized the Federation of India's Surfing (SFI) for illegally selecting Ramesh Budihal as the first reserve for the men's surfing event at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, scheduled to commence on September 19. The court disapproved the manner in which the SFI conducted the fresh selection process, stating that the federation must strictly follow the law and its own selection policy, which it did not do in this case. The court declined to issue a certiorari to quash the decision and did not direct the Indian Olympic Association to recall or change the list of selected players. The court also refused to grant a request for forming a fresh selection committee. The petitioner, Budihal, has questioned the decision, saying it would negate years of hard work. The Federation had announced the initial list of selected participants on June 3, but Budihal was not selected and was only placed as a reserve. The Federation's appeals panel partly allowed Budihal's appeal, directing the SFI to form a selection committee to evaluate competing athletes and consider the performance of athletes from January 1, 2025, onwards. However, the special selection committee couldn't reach a decision due to a deadlock on the methodology to evaluate athletes. The court formed an inquiry committee to ensure future selections of athletes are conducted properly and in accordance with the SFI's selection policies.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Karnataka High Court denies Ramesh Budihal's petition for relief in Asian Games selection.",
    "Federation of India's Surfing (SFI) criticized for illegal selection of Budihal.",
    "Court declines to issue certiorari, refuses to recall selected players."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}