SAI notice to coaches, doctor at NIS Patiala

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Thursday issued a showcause notice to two athletics coaches and a doctor at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala for the doping scandal that has rocked Indian athletics.

SAI director general Desh Deepak Verma told reporters that sprint coaches Ramesh Nagapuri and R.S.Sodhi, who were assistants to sacked Ukrainian coach Yuri Ogorodinik, have been issued notice.

"We have showcaused the two coaches and the doctor at NIS Patiala. Sodhi has been transferred to Jalandhar while Nagapuri, who is now with the team in Japan for the Asian Championships, has been transferred to Hyderabad. We have also showcaused the resident doctor," said Verma.

Weightlifting coach Naveen Kumar and gymnastics coach Praveen Kumar were also removed.

"It is a collective responsibility. We will take action against the whole team whenever a doping case comes to light," said Verma.

Eight Indian athletes, including the trio of Sini Jose, Asjwini Akkunji and Mandeep Kaur, who won gold medals in the 4x400 metres relay in the Commonwealth and Asian Games flunked dope tests conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).