BERHAMPUR: Weightlifter Ghasiram Khara from Koraput district was asked to return his medal and certificates by Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) after his urine sample was tested positive by National Anti Doping Agency.Khara was trained at sports hostel on Berampur stadium premises under the guidance of coach Sachindra Majhi. He had participated in 13th National Youth Weightlifting Championship in 50kg category held at Visakhapatnam between February 25 and 21 this year. He was put under provisional suspension after his urine sample was tested positive by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA).
“There was adverse analytical findings in his urine sample,which is an offence under anti-doping rules,2015,” sources said.After the test report was released, Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) suspended Khara from sports activities till completion of relevant procedure and hearing before anti-doping disciplinary panel of NADA. He had allegedly consumed stamina enhancer drugs. In a letter to Narayana Sahu, the secretary of Odisha Weightlifting Association, IWF directed Khara to appear before NADA within a week or else face stringent action.The IWF declared the award for Khara, who won silver at the recent national weightlifting championship, as null and void. Meanwhile, neither Khara nor his coach was available for comment.