Olympian dressage rider and the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) ad-hoc panel exchanged sharp emails over Asian Games selections. The panel said Agarwalla made "inaccurate" claims about a June 18 meeting.
Agarwalla denied this and asked for proof. The dispute followed EFI finalising its dressage recommendations for the continental event.
EFI selected India's Dressage squad as Shruti Vora Magnanimous, Gaurav Pundir Milli, Jai Sud Goofy La Perla, and Hriday Chheda Dono Di Maggio. Agarwalla was not chosen in the main team. Agarwalla was listed as a reserve, along with Sudipti Hajela. Agarwalla questioned the decision despite being India's Paris Olympics dressage representative.
Asian Games selection process dispute at EFI
The email exchange happened on Thursday, a day after Agarwalla asked
for selection details. EFI Assistant Secretary Nafe Singh Kadian wrote that several comments by Agarwalla were "inaccurate, misleading and are denied and disputed". EFI also said it found no basis to change recommendations made on June 15. The panel said selections followed Dressage Selection Criteria Version 4.0 and later amendments.
EFI stated that Agarwalla received a personal meeting with selection committee member Col. Sandeep Dewan. EFI said such a hearing was not part of the stated criteria. Still, EFI said Agarwalla was heard at length in Kadian's presence. EFI said Agarwalla was invited to submit supporting material for all claims raised.
EFI said it reviewed Agarwalla's email sent on June 17 before finalising decisions. EFI also said it considered a document titled Summary of Asian Games 2026 Qualifications shared on June 14. The panel said these materials were assessed before finalising the order of merit and team. EFI said it found no grounds to review or modify the June 15 recommendations.
Asian Games selection transparency concerns raised by Anush Agarwalla
Agarwalla replied later on Thursday and challenged EFI's accusations. "Such allegations are wholly unfounded and appear to be an attempt to deflect attention from the substantive issues repeatedly raised by me and consistently left unanswered," Agarwalla wrote. Agarwalla asked EFI to point out which exact lines it viewed as false. Agarwalla also demanded evidence supporting EFI's claims.
Agarwalla disputed EFI's description of the June 18 meeting and cited another attendee. Agarwalla said EFI's account did not mention Naomi Julia Dewan. Agarwalla described Naomi Julia Dewan as the daughter of Sandeep Dewan. Agarwalla asked what role Naomi Julia Dewan had in the meeting. "Why her presence was considered necessary in what was ostensibly a personal hearing," Agarwalla wrote.
Agarwalla said the June 18 meeting did not provide key decision information. Agarwalla said Agarwalla travelled from Germany for the meeting. Yet Agarwalla said there was no disclosure on merit calculations. Agarwalla also sought the selection method, the final decision-maker's identity, and reasons for exclusion. Agarwalla also alleged EFI took conflicting positions about hearings and natural justice.
Agarwalla again asked EFI to share calculations and the methodology used for the order of merit. Agarwalla also asked for the basis used to finalise the team. Agarwalla said EFI should identify any allegedly false statements clearly. Agarwalla maintained that transparency gaps remained unresolved. The dispute continued even after EFI issued its dressage recommendations for the Games.
Asian Games selection row amid EFI ad-hoc panel governance issues
EFI has been run by an ad-hoc committee appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The IOA stepped in after governance disputes and administrative issues in the federation. The panel was appointed on March 27 after a Delhi High Court directive. The court order sought restoration of democratic governance after the prior executive committee's term ended in 2023.
The four-member ad-hoc panel was led by Yashodhara Raje Scindia. The panel's mandate included running EFI, rewriting its constitution, and holding fresh elections. The IOA removed member Administration Col. Ashok Yadav from the panel. The IOA cited complaints about conduct and functioning. Yadav later alleged efforts to favour some riders and bypass selection rules.
The emails left the selection dispute unresolved between Agarwalla and the EFI panel. EFI continued to defend the order of merit and team decision under Dressage Selection Criteria Version 4.0. Agarwalla continued to seek the underlying calculations and reasons for exclusion. The wider context also included ongoing IOA oversight and internal friction within the ad-hoc committee.
With inputs from PTI
