As fine looms,weightlifters in danger of missing out on CWG

When the first payment of Rs 25 lakh was before the South Asian Games held recently in Dhaka,the international body had given its go-ahead to the Indian lifters. But with empty coffers,the national body has sent them a request,asking them to reconsider the pre-condition to pay installments before international competitions.

With time running out,the national federation is yet to hear out that issue. “We are waiting for a reply. If the international body turns down our request,we have to make arrangements to pay them,or our teams will not be allowed to participate in the Asian Youth and Asian Junior championships beginning from April 7 at Tashkent,” said Sehdev Yadav,secretary general,IWF.

The youth competition assumes importance as it is also a continental qualification round for the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

Big penalty

The international body had also imposed a penalty of $31,000 on dope cheats. Since the banned lifters have expressed their inability to pay the money,that amount will also be paid by the national federation. “We are in a fix to raise funds,” added Yadav.

But if the amount isn’t raised before the Commonwealth meet,the home team will have to sit out the event and watch from the bench. Moreover,in September,during the world championships in Antalya,Turkey,the Olympic qualification rounds will commence. The Indian lifters will also be denied of that chance to showcase their talent.

It is learnt that the national lifting body is planning to make a request to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA),asking them to give an interest-free loan,which will enable them to pay the balance amount to the International body. “We are planning to approach the IOA to bail us out,” he said.

Officials are also trudging the path ahead cautiously. In the just-concluded senior national meet,out of 60 urine samples that were collected,21 were random tests while 45 samples were from among the medallists. “We are trying preventive measures,” said Yadav. The national body also wants to make dope tests mandatory during the upcoming All India Police weightlifting meet.