Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 17 (IANS) With the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) refusing it financial help, the Weightlifting Federation of India (WFI) is now pinning its hopes on the sports ministry to pay the fine imposed by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), and enable its participation in the Commonwealth Games at home.
WFI had approached both the sports ministry and IOA for an interest-free loan to pay off the outstanding fine of $375,000 to IWF by Aug 31 after six lifters tested positive last year. IWF had fined India $500,000.

The sports ministry had asked IOA to resolve the issue immediately, but the IOA said that it can’t help WFI financially as it would be seen as “abetment to doping”.

WFI secretary-general Sahdev Yadav hoped that the federation can still pay the fine by the deadline.

“We are still hoping that we can meet the deadline. But if we fail, what can we do, our weightlifters will not take part in the Commonwealth Games. We are still hopeful that the sports ministry will come and bail us out. We are just asking for interest- free loan,” Yadav told IANS.

A top IOA official put the onus on the sports ministry saying that it is the responsibility of the government to help WFI.

“We want the government to pay the money as an interest-free loan to the WFI. It is the obligation of the sports ministry to help the WFI,” the IOA official said on condition of anonymity.

The sports ministry has so far refused to pay the amount because it is supporting a dope-free sport through its own National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) and doesn’t want to be seen in a bad light.