Uncertainty over lifters' participation

The fate of the Indian team for the World weightlifting championship, starting in Turkey on Sunday, hangs in balance with the Sports Ministry not showing much interest in paying the fine for the positive drug test of N Kunjarani Devi.

India cannot participate in the tournament till the fine of $1200, slapped on Kunjarani after she tested positive for the banned drug 'strychnine', is paid to the International Weightlifting Federation.

The Indian Weightlifting Federation, being run by a two- member ad-hoc committee, bemoaned lack of funds for its inability to pay the fine and said the Sports Ministry should bail it out.

But Sports Ministry sources on Tuesday said they may not be inclined to pay Kunjarani's fine as that could be perceived as condoning a crime which the government itself is trying to come down heavily upon.

However, sources said, the ministry is yet to be approached by the IWF ad-hoc committee in this regard.

The sources also refuted claims of the federation that the team was selected by the government. "It was a team selected by the federation and not the governement," they said.

"The role of the Sports Ministry is that of facilitator, scrutinising the selection of teams selected by the federation and financing their trips," they said.