CHENNAI: Narsingh Yadav just cannot see the light of day at the moment, as Sunday’s failed doping incident must surely have put paid to his hopes of making the big event. But the Mumbai grappler still has the support of the Wrestling Federation of India, with president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh saying they would make an effort to save him.
“He had submitted a written complaint to WFI on July 19, the same day he was informed of his failed test. The letter was also forwarded to the National Anti Doping Agency and the Sports Ministry,” Brijbhushan had told Express on Sunday.
In the statement, Narsingh has accused an athlete, a coach and a SAI official of framing him. A hearing on Saturday saw Narsingh meet NADA officials, where the latter explained his side of the story. But with things unclear, a final hearing has been set for Wednesday. As of now Narsingh is not going to the Olympics.
SAI, who has been one of the accused party, has not been contacted by the federation yet. Officially, according to top SAI officials, there’s nothing from the federation’s part. For SAI, it’s a straightfoward case of doping. “Under these circumstances, we cannot send him to Rio, so 119 athletes will travel to Brazil, instead of 120,” said a SAI official.
According to SAI, all procedures were followed by National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), and even Narsingh’s B sample was tested in front of him. The official felt that even if Narsingh is proved innocent, he will not be able to participate in Rio. “That a SAI official is involved is just a wild accusation, and until and unless it is proved, there is no basis for such accusations. Even if he is a victim of conspiracy, as claimed by him, he still cannot go because the substance will be in his system even now, and also during the Olympics,” said another official.
“Until and unless the wrestler or federation officially come to SAI complaining about involvement of officials, nothing can be done. If someone complains, then the matter will be looked into,” he added. The official was also of the opinion that SAI was not responsible for distribution of supplements. “As for the supplement, SAI has got nothing to do with providing supplements. Its upto individual federations to procure and supply them to athletes.”
Demanding CBI probe
Narsingh, meanwhile, has demanded a CBI probe into the issue. “There should be a CBI inquiry. The episode relating to my selection had gone to court. There was a CID report that my life was under threat. All this makes it clear that I’ve been framed so that I’m stopped from going to Rio,” the 27-year-old told PTI. “I’ve given my complaint to the federation. I have made clear something could have been mixed in the food that was prepared at the mess. It’s a conspiracy.”