Equestrian Anush Agarwalla gives up Asian Games fight
Equestrian athlete Anush Agarwalla has officially withdrawn from the 2026 Asian Games after failing to secure a spot on the team. Agarwalla expressed deep frustration with the selection process, claiming he was denied a fair opportunity to compete despite his previous achievements.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights systemic issues within sports federations and the challenges athletes face regarding transparency and fairness in selection processes.
NEW DELHI: Equestrian Anush Agarwalla conceded his dream of competing in the 2026 Asian Games, which begin on September 19, is over. The rider said he felt 'betrayed' after his pleas to the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) went unheard."The dream of Asian Games 2026 is officially over. Words cannot explain the pain and emptiness I feel right now. I have always represented India with immense pride, and always will. But this time, I am deeply hurt - not because I lost, but because I was never given the chance to compete," he wrote in a post."I can accept defeat on the field. That is sport. You fight, you win, you lose, and you come back stronger. But this feels less like defeat and more like betrayal.
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