Dope-tainted boxers await verdict

New Delhi:

Close on the heels of the weightlifting federation's strict action against 34 lifters for doping offences, the Boxing Federation is contemplating similar action against three pugilists who tested positive during last year's National Games. "We will be meeting on June 5 to decide the fate of the boxers who had tested positive during the National Games. There is no doubt that we will be taking stern action against them," Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) sources said. The three boxers -- D Bhagya Rajan, Srikanth Poosa and Sandeep Kumar, all of whom represented Andhra Pradesh in the country's biggest sporting extravaganza -- were among the 21 athletes who were held guilty by the Indian Olympic Association in April for taking performance-enhancing drugs during the meet. While silver medal winner Poosa consumed stimulant mephentermine, the two others tested positive for anabolic steroid. The IABF sources said though the three were suspended from participating in any competition, their punishment will be based as per the guidelines laid down by the sport's world governing body -- International Association of Amateur Boxing. (PTI)