Joseph, Jenny among National Games drug cheats

New Delhi, June 15 (UNI) Quartermiler Jasmin Joseph, boxer Jenny Lalremliani and lifter Vicky Batta were among eight sportspersons whose names were announced by IOA today for flunking dope test during the Guwahati National Games earlier this year.

The other sportspersons are Gajendra Singh (Javelin), Taranjit singh (Boxing), Amol Buchade (Wrestling), Jasvir Singh (Kabaddi) and Monika Narwal (Wrestling), according to an IOA release here.

Joseph, Taranjit, Buchade, Jasvir were found to have nandrolone in their test samples while Jenny, Bhatta and Monika had Furosemide.

Gajendra Kumar failed the dope test for having mephentermine in his sample.

IOA said, it has forwarded the cases to the respective federations which will decide on the quantum of punishment.

Their medals, points, prizes and individual results won in the National Games stand forfeited.

Two hundred and fifty seven samples were collected under the supervision of IOA Medical and Anti-Doping Commision Dr Manmohan Singh and the samples were sent to WADA-accredited National Doping Control Centre in Bangkok.

''The Hearing and Disciplinary committee constituted by the IOA headed by Dr ManMohan Singh held several hearings to give an opportunity of fair justice to the sportspersons to represent their case and opt for testing of 'B' samples analysis. Four sportspersons opted for their 'B' samples analysis,'' an IOA statement said.

The dope results were declared on the basis of 'A' samples and 'A' and 'B' sample results, the statement clarified.

''One more sportsperson's 'B' sample result is still awaited.

This sportsperson wants to get the 'B' sample analysis in the personal presence. The identity of the sportsperson and further action is withheld till the declaration of 'B' sample result by the Bangkok laboratory,'' it added.

World champion Jenny (Mizoram) won gold in boxing in the 63 kg category in Guwahati, Joseph (Kerala) won 400m women's race, Gajendra Kumar (UP) bagged silver in javelin throw, while Taranjit Singh of Assam won gold in +91 kg boxing.

UNI