Fear of dope test makes 41 skip kabaddi trials

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LUDHIANA: Following the detection of used syringes in washrooms during the second round of kabaddi selection trials at Guru Nanak Stadium on May 18, as many as 41 players, including several top ones, did not turn up for the third and final round of trials on Saturday with officials saying the fear of dope test did the players in.

 

World Kabaddi League is due to start from August 1 and teams from India, Pakistan, England, America, Canada and Belgium are expected to participate.

 

As many as 316 players were supposed to be present for trials and dope test, but only 275, including 111 raiders and 116 stoppers besides 48 already short-listed players arrived. According to officials, 56 renowned players who have played for India were also included in 316 and out of these 56, only 12 turned up for dope test and for final trials. “Out of those 56 players, many have represented India in world cup too. But surprisingly they did not turn up for the trials. A few are out of country, but most of them did not come out of fear of dope test,” said an official requesting anonymity.

 

Chairman of selection team for World Kabaddi League, Shivdev Singh, said, “A few players could not come as they had to go to some other country. But it’s obvious that most of the players did not turn up because of the fear of dope test. Players should know they have to go through the dope test.”

 

As many as 48 players were short-listed during the second round on May 18. On Saturday, they went through dope test and deposited Rs 30,000 as security. Rest of the 227 players went for trials. Players have to go through dope test once he is selected.

 

“Players were asked to deposit Rs30,000 today. If a player’s dope test comes out to be positive, the amount of Rs 30,000 will not be refunded,” said the official.

 

Drinking water and medical facilities were poor at Guru Nanak Stadium during the final round of trials for World Kabaddi League. Contestants had to drink water from pipes. A player got injured and fainted, but no medical team was not present. Pargat Singh, commissioner, World Kabaddi League, said, “We are strictly following the WADA anti-doping code to make this a drug-free sport. Each player is undergoing the dope test and those who successfully pass the test will play in the WKL.”

 

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