Chandigarh: Asian karate champion Alisha Choudhary from Haryana has received clearance from the Union sports ministry to represent India at the 2026 Asian Games, ending weeks of uncertainty over her participation due to the absence of a recognised National Sports Federation (NSF) for karate.Alisha of Pundri in Kaithal district created history in June by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in the women’s kumite (55kg) event at the 22nd AKF Senior Asian Karate Championship in Bali, Indonesia. Despite fulfilling the eligibility criteria, her place in the Indian contingent remained in doubt because of administrative issues surrounding the sport’s national federation.The issue was taken up by Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal after meeting the athlete in July. Jindal urged the Union ministry of youth affairs and sports to ensure that bureaucratic hurdles did not deprive a medal prospect of representing the country.According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Jindal subsequently met Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Indian Olympic Association president P T Usha, seeking an early resolution. The required clearance was granted, enabling Alisha to compete for India at the Asian Games scheduled in Sep.“Alisha is the pride of Kurukshetra and the entire country. Her historic victory in Bali demonstrated her world-class ability, and I am confident she will make India proud at the Asian Games,” Jindal said.
