IWF urges world body to waive off fine

New Delhi, June 6 (UNI) The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has urged the world body to waive off the hefty hundred thousand dollar fine slapped on it in the wake of country's two lifters having tested postive at Commonwealth Games.

''We have accepted the one year ban imposed on us by the by International Weightlifting Federation but we are in no position to pay 100,000 dollar fine and we have appealed against the fine,'' IWF president H J Dora told UNI here today.

Mr Dora said the IWF made the request for fine waiver during the world body's meeting held in Beijing last month and, ''we are awaiting the reply.'' He said, ''We have informed the world body that lifters tested postive at Melbourne during the Commonwealth Games have been banned for life,'' and added that the IWF had taken several steps to get rid of the drug menance.

''We are committed to have drug-free sport but the game (weightlifting) will suffer in India if the world body insist on the fine because we are just not in a position to pay such a huge amount.'' Mr Dora sounded hopeful of a postive response from the world body. ''I think they understand our position,'' he added.

UNI HSB DH BST2008