Indian lifters will win at least four golds: Coach Harnaam

Indian lifters won three golds at the 2006 Melbourne Games but a series of doping controversies marred their preparation and cast a shadow over their medal hopes but Harnaam exuded confidence that India would at least finish with a haul of four golds at the New Delhi Games.

"We expect gold medals from Ravi Kumar in the boys section, Sonia Chanav (48Kg), Renu Bala (58kg) and Monica (75kg) in the girls section," Singh said here after a practice session at the Games Village where the team comprising fifteen athletes is currently stationed.
Indian lifters contributed nine medals -- three gold, five silver and a bronze -- to the country's total of 49 (22 gold, 17 silver and 10 bronze) during the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

But in 2009, they found themselves in an embarassing situation after a USD 500,000 fine was imposed on the national federation following flunked dope tests by six of its lifters.
The federation managed to pay USD 125,000 but lack of funds to pay back the complete amount jeopardised their participation in the Games and they had to take an interest-free loan from the organisers committee to pay the rest and ensure their participation.
The lifters had a similar experience in 2006 when they missed the Asian Games in Doha following a 12-month ban imposed after four athletes tested positive within a year.