New Delhi: Cracking the whip on five of its State units, the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) on Saturday decided to ban them from taking part in the national championship, scheduled later this month, as a punishment for their lifters' being caught for doping.

Weightlifters from five State units -- Services Sports Control Board, Delhi, Manipur, Haryana and Punjab -- had earlier tested positive for banned substances across different competitions and hence are being stopped from participating in the upcoming tournament, to be held in Patiala from December 24 to 29.