After Satisha let off, Tejinder escapes life ban

New Delhi:

After letting off dope-tainted Satisha Rai without any punishment, the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has again thrown rule books out of the window by giving reprieve to Tejinder Singh after his second dope offence.

Satisha was let off on the ground that he has quit the sport despite his second dope offence during the Guwahati National Games in February last year and now it is the turn of Tejinder to get a benign treatment from the IWF.

IWF had adopted a strict policy in September last year that any lifter caught for second dope offence would be handed life ban.

Tejinder was first caught for using stimulants during 2003 Hyderabad National Games, and he was handed six-month ban as the punishments under International Weightlifting Federation were milder then.

He again tested positive during the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the IWF, then headed by H J Dora, had handed him a life ban pending a hearing. But, the present regime has now reduced the life ban to two-year ban.

IWF said in a communication to Tejinder that he has served the two-year ban period which started from March 2006 and he can return to competitions after a confirmatory test. This decision was taken in May but not made public earlier.

"... the life ban imposed on you (has been) condoned and reduced to two years based on your representation. This period of suspension is now over," an IWF communication to Tejinder issued by its General Secretary BR Gulati in May said.

"You can compete in any future competitions provided you get a dope testing certificate from Sports Authority of India," the letter said.