PNN& Agencies
New Delhi, Nov 17: Faced with the threat of suspension by the world body after two of its lifters tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has formed a five-member committee to look into the issue and conduct a hearing here December 3.
Two Indian women lifters – Pramila Kirsani (silver 53kg) and Minati Sethi (bronze 58kg) – both incidentally from Orissa, failed dope tests and tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid during the recently-concluded Commonwealth Championships at Pune and have been provisionally suspended. The duo has also been dropped from the national squad for the World Championships in Houston, commencing November 20.
However, when contacted in Bhubaneswar, the secretary of the Orissa Weightlifting Association, Chittaranjan Swain feigned ignorance about the entire matter, in spite of both the lifters being from the state. Pramila in fact, stays at the Bhubaneswar Sports Hostel while Minati is from Rourkela. “We have no information regarding this matter,” stated Swain. The phones of both lifters went unanswered in spite of repeated calls.
Orissa Olympic Association (OOA) president, Asirbad Behera also stated over the phone that the body does not have any information on this issue. “We are getting this piece of news from you only, the association does not know about the suspension,” he stated.
IWF, however, is leaving no stone unturned to get into the root of the issue as per international norms, three positive results in a calendar year can lead to a one-year ban of the national federation. Thus, one more positive case can threaten India’s participation in next year’s Rio Olympics.
IWF secretary Sahadev Yadav however asserted Tuesday that both the Orissa girls , according to him are innocent. “In the past also a number of Indian lifters had tested positive for banned substances but for the first time I am claiming that these two girls are innocent. Thus, we have formed a five-member committee to investigate into the matter. There will be a hearing December 3,” he stated.
“We are still awaiting the two lifters’ sample B report but till then their names have been taken out from the national squad’s list for World Championships. But there is no question of the federation being banned as I am sure our lifters are not involved in any wrongdoings,” Sahadev added.
Yadav claimed that this was a conspiracy against the federation and the lifters. “Both Pramila and Minati were tested October 9 and cleared. The competition took place October 11 and both of them knew that dope tests would happen. Knowing it, why would they consume something and make a fool of themselves,” questioned Yadav.