SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA (SAI) has declined to fund the Indian judo team’s participation in the World Junior Judo Championships, scheduled from 2–9 October in Peru, citing the absence of selection trials.
“It may be noted that no selection trials were conducted for this event, which is not in accordance with the selection policy available on JFI’s website and the instructions issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) vide letter dated 05.03.2025. This concern has been repeatedly brought to the attention of JFI in advisory committee meetings, where SAI has also emphasised the need for publishing the competition calendar and updated selection policy on its website to enhance transparency,” SAI said in a statement to The Tribune on Monday.
Although SAI approved the team list submitted by the Judo Federation of India (JFI), the clearance came on a ‘no cost to government’ basis, allowing the athletes to compete only with private backing. The Reliance Foundation and JSW’s Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) have stepped in to cover expenses.
“Further, the proposal was submitted by JFI on 17.09.2025, i.e. only 15 days prior to the Championship, despite repeated reminders to submit the same at least 45 days in advance. Such delays result in logistical difficulties, including higher expenditure on air tickets, missed booking deadlines for boarding and lodging as per the event brochure, and athletes having to divert their attention to visa processes instead of training,” SAI statement added.
The Indian squad includes Himanshi Tokas, who on Sunday became world No. 1 in the junior women’s 63kg category. Her participation is being funded by the Reliance Foundation. Meanwhile, IIS will support five athletes: Nungshithoi Chanu (52kg), Linthoi Chanambam (63kg), Taibanganbi Chanu (70kg), Ishroop Narang (78kg) and Sidharth Rawat (60kg).
IIS president Manisha Malhotra said, “Our judokas have already taken giant leaps in the sport, with Linthoi and Oliviya (Devi) winning Worlds medals in the cadet category. The next obvious milestone is a World Championships medal in the junior category, and Peru offers an excellent opportunity. The athletes would have suffered if it wasn’t for us being able to send them to Peru. This is why we need good administrators and professionals who can make policies to help the athletes so that such situations never arise.”
