DOPING CLOUDS INDIAN ATHLETES AHEAD OF COMMONWEALTH GAMES

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Organisers of the New Delhi Commonwealth
Games have come under mounting pressure, after 12 Indian athletes were tested
positive for banned substances, in recent days.

Authorities discovered that six wrestlers, three swimmers, two from
athletics and a net-ball player, had tested positive, less than a month before
the games, slated from Oct 3 to 14.

The General Association of National Sports Federations (GANSF) President
Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra Tuesday demanded that India's Sports Ministry probe
those responsible for failing dope tests.

"There should be zero tolerance for those who tested positive. The GANSF
wants not only the involved athletes but their coaches, doctors and officials to
be punished, if found guilty," he said in statement.

Doping among athletes has become a worry for authorities as India prepares
to host one of world's most popular sporting events, whereby 71 nations would be
participating in the Indian capital.

The doping episodes has indeed added more embarrassment to the Commonwealth
Games organising committee which has already been riddled with massive
corruption charges and delays in completing games venues.

Last Friday, organisers rolled out an elaborate anti-doping programme to
ensure the games would be clean and not marred by doping scandals.

"We are being watched by the various international sports federations and
any indiscretion on the part of Indian players or officials will only bring
disrepute to the country," said Malhotra.

--BERNAMA