Doping rocks Pakistan’s kabaddi

By our correspondent

LAHORE: Pakistan’s kabaddi has been rocked by the doping scandal as seven of their national players have been tested positive for using steroids.

The tests were conducted during the national championship in Lahore in January this year. Keeping in view the gravity of the situation Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has taken a good step to constitute a five-member probe committee which will investigate the matter before recommending a punishment for those who will be found responsible for the mess.

The committee, which will be headed by Pakistan Handball Federation (PHF) president Mohammad Shafiq, will hold its first meeting in the next 12 days. During the investigation besides players departments, associations and even coaches could come under scanner.

As it has happened during the national event so there is every chance that departments and associations could be grilled for the involvement of their players in the case which is really a sort of wake up call for the Pakistan’s sports authorities.

Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has also questioned the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) and National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) how this has happened.

According to sources the PKF conducted 13 tests and of them seven returned positives. Meanwhile the country’s premier weightlifter Talha Talib is also under investigation as it has been learnt that International Testing Agency (ITA) has found some banned substances in his blood sample which it had taken three months ago. Another source told this correspondent that 13 more tests have been conducted by the ITA a month ago. However the weightlifting official was optimistic that no positive case would come as normally the results are revealed in 16 days.