No immediate plans, says CWG silver medalist Zakir Asadullah

Pune, Mar 27 (UNI) Weight-lifter Zakir Asadullah has done city-based Army Sports Institute (ASI) proud even as his teamate Edwin Raju came under cloud by testing positive for doping in the 18th Commonwealth Games, which concluded in Melbourne on Sunday.

Zakir won a silver in the 77 kg class. But Edwin's deed has put a spoke on Zakir's future plans. ''I have no immediate plans or goals because of fears of a ban from the apex body controlling the iron game,'' Zakir said here today.

''We at ASI are keeping our fingers crossed regarding the ban,'' he said. Considering the offence, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) may slap a four-year ban and no Indian weightlifter will be allowed to participate in any competition. But, Zakir said he will continue with his training.

Twenty five-year-old Zakir, who hails from Vellore, comes from a modest family background -- his father retired as a guard from the Railways. He has a brother and two sisters.

''It was my dream to win a gold at Melbourne but, due to a back injury, I could total only 301 kgs although I am capable of lifting 315 kgs,'' he said.

He had taken to the sport in 1998 under the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and had won a gold in the All India University meet in 2000 and 2001. He joined the army in 2002. The robust-looking Zakir joined the ASI in April 2003.

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