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: 21st June 2026
Mode: Video Conference
Note: This is a redacted summary record prepared for public 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. This meeting was convened in continuation of the Special Selection Committee's meeting of 20th June 2026, to resolve the deadlock that had arisen in respect of the selection of the second confirmed athlete and first reserve athlete for the Men's Team, namely between Mr. Ramesh Budihal and Mr. Sivaraj Babu.
2. The Committee was guided to undertake a fresh consideration of objective performance data and to cast its votes accordingly, with the possibility of recommending a Surf-Off as a further tie-breaking mechanism should the deadlock persist.
Review of Objective Data and Evaluation Criteria
3. The Committee reviewed the compiled performance data and discussed, among other matters, the methodology for recording podium finishes, the appropriate scope of "head-to-head comparison," the treatment of percentile averaging across differing numbers of events, and the weight to be accorded to Asian Surfing Championship (2025) results.
4. Members expressed differing views on these methodological questions. No unanimous consensus emerged on a single interpretation, and the Committee agreed that members would remain entitled to exercise independent judgment in assessing the significance of the available data, while acknowledging Asian Surfing Championship (2025) performance as an important factor for consideration.
Voting
5. Following deliberation, the Committee proceeded to vote between Mr. Ramesh Budihal and Mr. Sivaraj Babu for the second confirmed position and first reserve position, with each voting member stating the objective factors relied upon.
6. The vote resulted in an equal division of two votes in favour of Mr. Ramesh Budihal and two votes in favour of Mr. Sivaraj Babu. The Committee accordingly remained deadlocked notwithstanding reconsideration of the objective performance data.
Procedural Developments
7. Following the voting outcome, the Athlete Representative on the Committee verbally communicated her intention to resign, citing concerns regarding the evaluation methodology adopted. It was recorded that any resignation would require formal communication to, and consideration by, the Surfing Federation of India before any consequential action could be taken.
Recommendation Regarding a Surf-Off
8. The remaining voting members unanimously expressed the view that, in the event the deadlock remained unresolved, a Surf-Off between Mr. Ramesh Budihal and Mr. Sivaraj Babu would constitute an appropriate, fair, and objective mechanism for resolving the impasse on sporting merit.
9. The Committee recorded that the conduct, format, venue, judging panel, eligibility criteria, and procedural framework governing any such Surf-Off would fall to be determined exclusively by the Surfing Federation of India and the competent authorities.
10. The Committee resolved that this unanimous recommendation be communicated to the Surfing Federation of India for appropriate consideration and further directions.
Conclusion
11. The Chair recorded that: (i) the Committee remained deadlocked regarding the selection of the second athlete and first reserve athlete; (ii) the Athlete Representative had verbally expressed her intention to resign, with guidance to be sought from the Federation on the implications thereof; (iii) the Committee's views on a Surf-Off would be communicated to the Federation; and (iv) the matter would proceed in accordance with directions issued by the competent authorities.
Recorded by: Ethics & Legal Observer, Special Selection Committee
Date of Record: 24th June 2026
