The Hindu : Sport : Indian anti-doping set-up on right track

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Monday, Oct 08, 2007
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Sport - Sports : General

Indian anti-doping set-up on right track

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Indian anti-doping set-up was on the right track, but it would be crucial for the authorities to have a complete programme in place by the time Delhi hosts the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Director General David Howman expressed this opinion here on Sunday, the concluding day of the two-day symposium on anti-doping in sports organized by the Union Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Though there were shortcomings at present, things could be sorted out once the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) became functional, Mr. Howman said.

He said WADA was willing to guide the Indian authorities through the process and the latter were already getting expert advice from UK Sport which looks after anti-doping matters in Britain.

Asked about the case of weightlifter Satish Rai who tested positive for a steroid at the National Games in Guwahati last February and is still awaiting a final decision from the Indian Weightlifting Federation about his suspension, Mr. Howman said he would take up the matter with the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

The Indian federation had referred the matter to the IWF since it was not sure whether to impose a life ban or a two-year suspension on Rai. The issue was to have been discussed with the IWF during the World championships at Chiang Mai, Thailand, last month, but that did not happen.

Rai had tested positive for stimulant strychnine at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. Since a stimulant attracted only a six-month suspension then, apart from disqualification, the Indian federation was unsure about the life ban for a second violation, and hence referred it to the IWF. However, the matter has remained unresolved for the past three months.

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