WFI urges Mani Shanker to monitor IOA functioning

Chandigarh, Apr 21 (UNI) The Wrestling Federation of India has raised questions over the functioning of the Indian Olympic Association and urged the Sports Minister to monitor the activities of the apex sports body of the country.

WFI president Dr Mahinder Singh Malik has, in a recent communication to the Union Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Mani Shankar Aiyer, said ''There is a strong need to exercise close monitoring on the functioning of the IOA, particularly on account of detection of ever-growing doping case and instances of indiscipline among Indian delegation particularly in the Commonwealth, the Asian, the Olympic and international games.'' Expressing shock and surprise on the appointment of chef-de-mission H J Dora from the same National sports federation (Indian Weightlifting Federation) whose players had been tested positives in the 2002 Busan Games and 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Dr Malik said, ''Surprisingly two/three weightlifters were found accused of doping during 2002 Busan Asiad. However, still the chef-de-mission for the 2006 Commonwealth Games was appointed from the same National Sports Federation.'' The WFI letter to the Union Sports Minister further pointed out that ''resultantly, three weightlifters have again found guilty of doping at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the Indian weightlifting federation has been banned by the International Weightlifting Federation from further participation.'' MORE UNI XC VKJ AY DS163