Panaji: Dayne Coelho’s name is missing from the latest list of athletes cleared by the Union sports ministry for the Asian Games in Japan later this month, but the windsurfer hasn’t given up as yet.Dayne represented India at the 2018 Asian Games in RS:One class, then qualified for the 2022 Asian Games in RS:X class, but the govt did not clear his participation since he wasn’t considered to be among the medal contenders.This time around, Dayne won the three-phase Asian Games selection trials and left nobody in doubt that he is numero uno in his category. However, that wasn’t enough for qualification to the Asian Games. As per the performance pathway that has been set by the govt and Indian Olympic Association (IOA), sailors have to finish among the top six among Asian nations at designated international events to meet the final qualification benchmark.The Princess Sofia Regatta 2026 and the French Olympic Week 2026 were identified as the benchmark events for qualification.“Due to the prevailing situation (in West Asia) and late clearances, Dayne travelled for approximately 40 hours and arrived only three days before the event (in Europe). This significantly affected his preparation and performance pathway to meet the benchmark events,” Dayne’s father and coach Donald – also a former national windsurfing champion – wrote in a fresh appeal to Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya last week.Dayne finished seventh among Asian participants, just one spot outside the qualification mark.Significantly, Singapore’s Elkan Oh, ranked sixth, later opted out of the Asian Games – confirmation provided by the Singapore Sailing Federation – so Donald believes Dayne should naturally get elevated and, consequently, qualify for the Asian Games on merit.“The sports ministry needs to have a relook at Dayne’s ranking. He has dedicated over 15 years to the sport and won international medals for the country. Leaving him out would be unfair,” said Donald.At the 2025 iQFOIL World Championship at Aarhus, Denmark, Dayne recorded a best race finish of 15th in a fleet of 60 and finished fifth among the Asian competitors, “demonstrating his competitiveness at the Asian level.”Meanwhile, Dayne’s sister, Katya, left for Japan on Monday to take part in the Asian Games, to be held from Sept 19 to Oct 4.Katya’s selection comes after a strong showing at the selection trials. She topped the women’s iQFOiL category at the trials and then did well in two international competitions in Europe.
