Public Summary - 2026 Asian Games Selection Committee

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPECIAL SELECTION COMMITTEE

Surfing Federation of India — Asian Games 2026 Selection Process

Date: 20th June 2026

Mode: Virtual Meeting (Video Conference)

Note: This is a redacted summary record prepared for website publication. The full minutes are retained in SFI's official records.

Committee Composition

• Mr. Samai Reboul – High Performance Director (Non-Voting Chair)

• Mr. Manikandan Desappan – Surf Coach (Voting Member)

• Mr. Bharath Ganesh – Surf Coach (Voting Member)

• Mr. Shamant Gowda – ISA Judge (Voting Member)

• Ms. Nitisha Sethia – Athletes Representative (Voting Member)

• Mr. Adil Damania – Ethics & Legal Observer (Non-Voting Member)

Background

1. The squad selections originally finalized by the Selection Committee were challenged by way of appeals before an independently constituted Appeals Panel. Pursuant to the Appeals Panel's order, the original decision was set aside on procedural grounds relating to the composition of the Selection Committee, and the Federation was directed to reconstitute the Committee to undertake a fresh selection exercise.

2. The present Special Selection Committee was constituted pursuant to that direction, to independently undertake the athlete selection exercise for the Asian Games 2026 Surfing squad.

3. The Committee confirmed that the shortlisted pool of athletes in both the Men's and Women's categories, identified in accordance with the applicable 2025 rankings, remained undisputed.

4. A fresh vote was undertaken for the Women's Team to ensure the final selection emanated solely from the present Committee.

Performance Analytics

5. A comprehensive analytical report covering the period January 2025 to June 2026 was presented to the Committee, incorporating international and 2026 national competition results, rankings, wins, percentile analysis, podium finishes, heat win and advancement percentages, best wave scores, clutch wave statistics, and National Coaching Camp data.

6. The Committee deliberated on the appropriate methodology for athlete comparison, including the treatment of percentile analysis across differing numbers of competitions, the evidentiary weight to be given to National Coaching Camp data relative to formal competition results, and the relative weightage of national versus international performance.

7. The Committee agreed that percentile-based analysis offered a useful comparative tool, that National Coaching Camp data carried supplementary but lower evidentiary value than formal competition results, and that performances at the Asian Surfing Championship (2025) were an important factor for consideration, though no fixed numerical weighting formula was adopted.

Women's Team Selection

8. Following deliberation on comparative performance records and applicable selection criteria, the Committee unanimously finalized the Women's Team as follows:

• Selected: Ms. Kamali Moorthy, Ms. Sugar Shanthi Banarase

• Reserves: Ms. Shrishti Selvam, Ms. Devi Ramanathan

Men's Team Selection

9. The Committee unanimously selected Mr. Kishore Kumar as the first confirmed athlete and Mr. Srikanth D as the second reserve athlete.

10. Following extensive review of comparative statistics and performance data, the Committee was unable to reach a unanimous or majority consensus regarding the ordering of Mr. Ramesh Budihal and Mr. Sivaraj Babu for the second confirmed position and first reserve position. A deadlock accordingly arose between the two athletes.

Resolution of Deadlock

11. The Committee formally recorded the deadlock and resolved as follows:

• Mr. Kishore Kumar stands selected as the first confirmed athlete.

• Mr. Srikanth D stands selected as the second reserve athlete.

• A tie exists between Mr. Ramesh Budihal and Mr. Sivaraj Babu for the second confirmed position and first reserve position.

• The Committee would reconvene following consultation with the relevant authorities and stakeholders to seek clarification on the applicable tie-breaking procedure.

• Any final decision would be taken collectively with all members present.

Next Steps

11. The Ethics & Legal Observer was tasked with consulting the Head Coach and the Surfing Federation of India regarding the procedure for resolving the deadlock, and a follow-up meeting was to be scheduled to finalize the remaining Men's Team selection position.

Recorded by: Ethics & Legal Observer, Special Selection Committee

Date of Record: 24th June 2026