Advani demands speedy inquiry into Monika Devi Dope test controversy

New Delhi, Aug 13 (UNI) NDA's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani today demanded an impartial and speedy inquiry into the doping controversy involving Manipur weightlifter Monika Devi who was not allowed to participate in the ongoing Beijing Olympics Games.

Taking part in the 'Patriots Day' function to pay homage to Manipur martyr Bir Tikendrajit Thangal, the erstwhile Manipur Prince who was hanged to death by the British for daring to wage a war against them in 1891, Mr Advani said Monika Devi was a weightlifter of international repute and pride of Manipur and India.

The dreams of the winner of a silver in the Commonwealth Games, 2006, was rudely shattered when she was not allowed to participate in the Beijing Olympics, following the doping controversy. Now it was proved that the allegations were 'baseless' and Monica Devi was not at all guilty. She could perhaps have won a medal for India but for the eruption of this controversy, Mr Advani said.

He said the whole thing was a serious matter and showed the sports administration in the country in 'poor light'. The probe was necessary to ensure that such incidents did not recur, Mr Advani said.

He added Manipur, with less than a population of 30 lakh, had produced top class athletes and sportspersons. The state had won the highest number of medals in the 2002 National Games. In 2006, in the National Games held in Guwahati, sportspersons from Manipur outnumbered and outshone all the other players.

In the ongoing football match between India and Tajikistan today in Delhi, four Manipuri players were representing the Indian team.

This only showed that given the proper encouragement, sportspersons from Manipur were capable of making a mark at the international level.

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