Dope-tainted boxers face ban

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June 05, 2003 15:16 IST

The disciplinary committee of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, which met in Delhi on Thursday, found the three boxers who tested positive at the last National Games "prima facie guilty", a verdict which could see them being banned for two years.

The six-member committee, chaired by Dr Prem Chand Verma, which met to discuss the positive tests returned by Andhra Pradesh pugilists -- D Bhagya Rajan, Srikanth Poosa and Sandeep Kumar -- went through all the documents submitted by the three before arriving at their recommendations.

The recommendations will be forwarded to IABF president Abhay Singh Chautala, who will then call a meeting of the executive committee to decide on the punishment.

"Prima facie it seems there is a case against the boxers," said Dr Verma, without disclosing any details.

"None of the three boxers -- two of whom tested positive for steroids and Poosa, for a stimulant, -- asked for a 'B' sample test," Verma said.

The tainted pugilists, who were first time offenders, did not appear before the committee but Dr Verma said it was not required as per the IABF rules.

"They appeared before the Indian Olympic Association medical commission."

He said as per the International Association of Amateur Boxing rules, those found guilty of committing a first time offence can escape with a warning or a ban of upto two years. A repeat of the offence can lead to a life ban.

The three boxers were among the 21 athletes who were pronounced guilty by the IOA in April for testing positive at the National Games in Hyderabad, last December.

The Indian Doping scandal - Complete coverage

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