IWF escapes ban, slapped with heavy fine

Indian Federation was facing a ban as six of its lifters had flunked dope tests conducted by WADA and NADA, in September last year.

“The International Weightlif-ting Federation today fined us $5,00,000 which comes to around Rs three crore. We are relieved that at least we have not been banned and once we pay the fine our team can participate in the Commonwealth Games in October,” Sahdev Yadav, Indian Weighlifting Federation general secretary, said.

Yadav, however, was not happy with the late communication of the decision to them as it was taken two months ago in the executive board meeting but conveyed to them only on Friday.

“The decision was taken on November 21, 2009 but we were informed today. I feel the international body could have informed us earlier. Rs three crore is a huge sum of money which can’t be paid so easily,” he said.

Yadav also said they will request the international body to either reduce the penalty or allow them to pay it in installments.