New Delhi: The doping scandal that has virtually ruled Narsingh Yadav out of Olympics today took a sinister twist with the grappler alleging that a SAI official was part of the "conspiracy" to frame him even as the national federation threw its weight firmly behind him.
<img title="India wrestler Narsingh Yadav" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/jul/25narsingh.jpg" alt="India wrestler Narsingh Yadav" /> India wrestler Narsingh Yadav
A day after it was revealed that Narsingh and his roommate Sandeep Yadav had tested positive for banned anabolic steroid methandienone, the Wrestling Federation of India stood by the wrestler, insisting that a conspiracy was at play to stop him from going to Rio.
WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh today said Narsingh has submitted a written complaint, naming a SAI Sonepat official and also made allegations against a few others, including players.
"Narsingh Yadav has submitted a written complaint to the WFI on July 19, in which he has mentioned name of one SAI official and also made allegations against a few other people, including players," Singh told reporters here.
"In a span of one month, there have been three dope tests conducted on Narsingh and that raises a lot of suspicion. Moreover, even his room partner Sandeep Yadav has tested positive for the same substance," he added.
A defiant Narsingh demanded a CBI probe into the scandal. "There should be a CBI inquiry. The whole episode relating to my selection had gone to court. There was a CID report that my life is under threat. All this makes it clear that I have been framed so that I am stopped from going to Rio," Narsingh said. "I have given my complaint to the federation in which I have made it clear that something could have been mixed in the food that was prepared at the mess. It is a conspiracy against me," he added.
The WFI chief said Narsingh's complaint has been forwarded to the Sports Ministry as well. "The day Narsingh gave the written complaint, I straightaway intimated the Sports Ministry and other important people in the government of India. The government has taken it seriously and a committee of eminent people has been formed who are looking into the matter. I also informed World Wrestling body FILA and NADA about the entire conspiracy.
"I am in constant touch with the world body and have been updating them about every development," he said. Asked if WFI has demanded any criminal investigation into the doping scandal, Singh said: "That would happen in any case."
"NADA will conduct a final hearing of Narsingh on Wednesday. They look at all aspects like what food, supplements one is taking, what medicines etc. By Thursday the judgement will come out.
"The NADA committee formed to hear Narsingh's case will hold its final hearing on Wednesday. I hope they will examine all aspects, and on Thursday I hope we will get the clearer picture," he said.
Singh made it clear that WFI cannot launch an investigation on its own.
"WFI cannot launch an investigation. Coach and players are under us. The chief coach is the most responsible person and I have spoken to the chief coach and he has told me that he would say it on record that Narsingh hasn't taken any banned substance intentionally," he said.
Asked why the federation is backing Narsingh so much, Singh said there were enough indications of foul play. "It is our duty to protect Narsingh and all our wrestlers. Moreover, Narsingh's record is clean. He is someone who never shied away from dope tests. The chief coach as well as people from NADA, who take the tests, say that Narsingh is ever ready to appear for a test," Brij Bhushan said.
"Narsingh complained in writing to us that a conspiracy has been hatched against him and I and the entire nation believe him because he has nothing to do with the substance.
Moreover, I feel, had Narsingh used any banned medicine he would not have fought during the competition in Spain but he never shied away from it. And he also bagged a medal there.
"We feel that Narsingh has been a victim of injustice and we are hopeful that Narsingh will get justice. I will try my level best to help him get out of this problem so that he is the one to represent India in 74kg in the Olympics and win a medal," said Singh.
Insisting that something like this has never happened in Indian wrestling and thus it is something to be pondered upon, Singh said: "Till date 120 wrestlers have qualified for the Olympics from India but not a single athlete has ever tested positive for any banned substance. This has happened for the first time and it is something to ponder upon."

The doping scandal that has virtually ruled Narsingh Yadav out of Olympics today took a sinister twist with the grappler alleging that a SAI official was part of the "conspiracy" to frame him even as the national federation threw its weight firmly behind him

Narsingh alleges SAI role in dope scandal, gets WFI support

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The doping scandal that has virtually ruled Narsingh Yadav out of Olympics today took a sinister twist with the grappler alleging that a SAI official was part of the "conspiracy" to frame him even as the national federation threw its weight firmly behind him

Narsingh alleges SAI role in dope scandal, gets WFI support

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Narsingh alleges SAI role in dope scandal, gets WFI support

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