Asian Games Selection Policy

Written By Jehan Driver

Surfing Federation of India (SFI)

Selection Policy for the 20th Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026

1. Purpose & Scope

This policy governs identification, trials, training, selection, replacement, and nomination of

Indian surfers for the 20th Asian Games 2026. It applies to all athletes, coaches, officials, and

selectors operating under SFI. The policy will be hosted on SFI’s website and remains effective

until the Asian Games 2026 delegation is finalized.

2. Legal & Regulatory Alignment

Selections and camps will comply with:

  • National Sports Development Code of India (2011) and subsequent directions.

  • MYAS/SAI reforms on selection transparency.

  • IOA/OCA entry protocols and event eligibility rules.

  • Asian Games 2026 sport/age eligibility as notified.

  • NADA/WADA anti-doping compliance.

3. Events & Quotas

India has 2 athlete slots in Men’s Open Shortboard and 2 athlete slots in Women’s Open Shortboard at the Asian Games 2026.

SFI will select athletes only for events confirmed by ASF/AGOC/IOA and for which India holds quota/eligibility via ASF qualifiers.

4. Definitions

Ranking List: SFI National Ranking (Open Men/Women) as published on the SFI website.

Cut-off Date: 30 September 2025.

HPD: SFI High Performance Director.

Selection Committee (SC): Committee constituted under Section 10.5.

5. Selection Pathway (Modules & Timelines)

Module 1 — Eligibility Pool (Ranking Gate)

  1. As of 30 September 2025, the Top-8 Men and Top-8 Women in SFI National Rankings (LiveHeats) form the Selection Pool.

  2. Ties at #8 resolved by: (i) head-to-head in 2025 events, (ii) higher best single-event points, (iii) second-best single-event, (iv) coin toss in presence of SC and recorded on video.

  3. Eligibility conditions: Indian passport, IOA/OCA eligibility, NADA compliance, signed agreements (Code of Conduct, Media/Name & Likeness, Data Processing consent, Anti-harassment & Safeguarding).

Module 2 — Centralized 2-Day Assessment Camp (Top-8)

  • Conducted no later than 31 March 2026 at an SFI-approved venue.

  • Mandatory attendance unless medically exempt.

  • Components (all recorded on video/CCTV):

    • Performance heats (ISA/ASF/SFI scoring)

    • Technical drills

    • Physical testing

    • Psychological/HP screening

    • Compliance briefing.

  • Weightings published 30 days before camp. Indicative: Heats 50%, Tech 20%, Physical 15%, HP/Psych 10%, Compliance 5%.

  • Output: Objective composite scores; top performers progress.

  • The selection pool can be reduced under the discretion of the head coach and SFI selection committee.

Module 3 — Reduction to Competition Squad + Bench

  • Based on Module-2 scores plus 2025 ranking points, SC reduces the squad by 30 April 2026 to the following numbers or lower as determined by the selection committee:

    • Top-3 Men + up to 2 bench athletes

    • Top-3 Women + up to 2 bench athletes

  • Tie-breakers mirror Module-1.

  • Minutes and scorecards posted on SFI site within 7 days (data masked).

Module 4 — Team Camp & Qualification Alignment

  • The picked team (competition squad and bench athletes) trains under National

  • Coaches/HPD from November 2025 –September 2026, including ASF qualifiers/required events.

  • Continued selection conditional on: fitness, form, conduct, and compliance.

  • Internal surf-offs may be conducted by 15 July 2026 if required.

Module 5 — Final Nomination & Submission

  • Provisional names approved by SC and ratified by SFI EC by 20 July 2026.

  • Final names submitted to IOA no later than 1 August 2026.

  • Only 2 Men and 2 Women will be nominated to the Asian Games (as per quota). Bench athletes may be substituted in case of injury, withdrawal, or non-compliance before final submission.

  • Selection Pool/Picked team (competition squad and bench athletes) trains under National Coaches/HPD from November 2025 –September 2026, including ASF qualifiers/required events as per the modules.

6. National Rankings (Feeder to Module-1)

  • SFI to publish the 2025 National Calendar & Points Matrix in advance.

  • Event results will be posted within 7 days of conclusion.

7. Objective Metrics & Data Handling

  • Judging/scoring aligned with ISA/ASF criteria.

  • Trials recorded on video/CCTV; footage retained for 24 months.

  • Athlete data stored securely; only aggregated results published.

8. Medical, Injury & Fitness

Pre-camp and pre-nomination medical fitness certificates required.

Injury protocol:

  • Before Module-3: one fitness re-test allowed.

  • After Module-3: must regain fitness by 15 July 2026 or be replaced by a bench athlete.

  • Therapeutic Use Exemptions must be lodged with NADA in advance.

9. Conduct, Safeguarding & Anti-Doping

  • Athletes are bound by SFI Safeguarding and Harassment policies.

  • Zero-tolerance for doping; any violation triggers immediate suspension.

10. Governance: Selection Committee & Conflicts

  • Selection Committee: HPD (non-voting chair), 2 senior coaches, 1 athlete

  • representative, 1 external expert/judge, 1 legal/ethics observer (non-voting).

  • Conflicts of interest must be disclosed.

  • Minutes recorded and public summary posted within 7 days after decisions.

11. Appeals Mechanism

  • Grounds: procedural irregularity, scoring error, undisclosed conflict.

  • Appeals within 72 hours of contested decision.

  • Appeals Panel: legal chair, independent HP expert, athlete rep.

  • Remedies: confirm, re-tabulate, or re-trial specific segments.

12. Replacement Policy

  • Athletes may be replaced with a bench athlete if: injury, doping violation, code breach, ineligibility, or withdrawal.

  • Replacement decisions documented and video-announced.

13. Communication & Publishing

  • ⁠The announcement of the Selection policy shall be made on the official website of Surfing Federation of India before September 5th and any amendments subsequently will be on the website.

  • Changes require dated addendum and notification to MYAS/SAI/IOA.

14. Financial & Logistics

Participation in camps/trials funded per ACTC/SAI approvals or SFI resources.

Any athlete co-pay will be published in advance.

15. Contingencies

  • If events are cancelled or ASF changes qualification, SFI may adjust weightings or add a replacement trial with 15-day notice.

  • Trials may be extended for fair wave conditions; heat seeding via serpentine draw.

16. Acceptance

  • All athletes entering Module-2 must sign acceptance of this policy, SFI jurisdiction for selections, internal appeals, and consent for video/data use.

17. Policy Revisions & External Factors

SFI reserves the right to amend or update this selection policy to reflect changes in government regulations, international federation guidelines, IOA/OCA requirements, or unforeseen external

circumstances. Any changes will be communicated with fair notice to athletes through the SFI

website, official email, and athlete WhatsApp/communication groups.

Signed by,

Selection Committee Chairperson

Rammohan Paranjape

Jehan Driver
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