The Indian Weightlifting Federation owes an explanation and an apology to the country for the dope scandals that may lead to the humiliation of a third international ban, an angry Sports Minister M S Gill said on Monday.
In a strongly worded speech he delivered at the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Sports Meet in New Delhi, Gill said IWF officials need to explain how six lifters returned positive for banned substances in WADA tests.
"Recently, a number of weightlifters tested positive for banned substances. That has brought shame to the country and IWF is facing international punishment. The senior IWF officials owe an explanation to the country and express regret for the dope offence by the lifters," Gill said.
"They (the weightlifting officials) should take moral responsibility and do whatever to eliminate doping from weightlifting," he added.
Six lifters returned positive for banned substances in the out-of-competition tests conducted by WADA in September in Pune and India is almost certain to be banned in the executive committee meeting of the International Weightlifting Federation in Korea on Wednesday.
Under international rules, a national body may be handed a maximum of four-year ban with fines if three or more lifters return positive for banned substances in a calendar year.
If a ban of more than a year is imposed, India will have to face the ignominy of being barred from fielding its lifters in the October 3-14, 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
On the possibility of Indian lifters missing the Commonwealth Games, Gill said the country will have to suffer for the wrongs done by some lifters.
"What can we do? If there is to be a ban so be it. The only thing is because of the lifters taking drugs, the country will have to suffer," he said.
Gill said dope cheats will be dealt with sternly and his ministry will take tough action.
"Stay away from drugs. The world bodies have taken strong resolve to eliminate this menace and give stern punishment to drug offenders. We fully stand by this. I want medals from our athletes in Olympics and world events. But I want medals won with honour. Mujhe benami ka medal nahin chahiye (I don't want medals won by disgrace)," Gill thundered to the children assembled.
