Doping continues to be the talking point in the Kabaddi World Cup here, with the organisers today banning the USA team for its refusal to give samples.
Another bad news is that numbers of offenders rose to 38, putting the organizers and Punjab sports department, in an embarrassing situation. The three-week tournament had started on November 1.
Organisers took note of the refusal of some of the players from the America to give their samples for tests.
“Four players refused to give their samples and under the rules they are automatically treated as positive. Four others were found positive in tests,” organising-secretary of the event and former India hockey captain, Pargat Singh said.
The American players had refused to give their samples for the dope test on Monday at Hoshiarpur.
While majority of the dope-tainted players belong to countries like Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia, there is one from India who had tested positive for banned substance stanozolol.
All the players have been suspended and barred from taking part in the competition till their names are cleared, Pargat said.
The tests are being conducted by NADA, who have dispatched three teams to the venues, to conduct random tests.
More than 200 samples have been taken already.
The tournament got off to a glittering start and the inaugural ceremony, held in Bathinda on November 1, saw a performance from Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Asked if the growing number of dope offenders was bringing bad name to the sport and the country, Pargat said, “Look we are committed to ensuring drug-free sporting competition. We have already said that Kabaddi is an unorganised sector. There is no world body which governs it. We have tried to promote this sport, but to say if more players testing positive will take away the sheen of the tournament, I don’t really agree”.
Related posts:
- World Cup Kabaddi: NADA teams start doping tests
- Doping at Kabaddi : Seven players found positive
- Kabaddi WC 2011 final between Ind-Pak fixed by organisers: US Team
- Kabaddi Doping : Indian player found positive
- 50% of players in trials for Kabaddi World Cup test positive
- Kabaddi Doping : 5 more fail dope test
- Many dope cases remain hidden: Sania
- Kabaddi tournament in Daddumajra concluded
- India enter kabaddi WC semifinals
- 13 teams to fight for Kabaddi World Cup 2011
