Sai memo to officials for 'supporting' dope cheats

The Sports Authority of India has served a memo to Sanjeev Sharma, head of its regional centre at Sonepat, and PC Kasyhap, executive director (Teams Wing), for allowing dope tainted athletes like Asian Games gold medallist Ashwini Akkunji to use the facilities there for training. Navneet Singh reports.

The Sports Authority of India has served a memo to Sanjeev Sharma, head of its regional centre at Sonepat, and PC Kasyhap, executive director (Teams Wing), for allowing dope tainted athletes like Asian Games gold medallist Ashwini Akkunji to use the facilities there for training.

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HT has learnt that the two officials are being held responsible for allowing female quarter-milers, facing doping charges, to train at the centre.

The two, according to a sports ministry official, had been asked to explain their stand. While Sharma submitted his reply on Monday, Kashyap replied on Tuesday.

It was the steering committee, chaired by secretary, sports, Sindhushree Khullar, that had approved the dope offenders' training and stay at the SAI premises, but the blame is being placed on the duo.

Interestingly, Rahul Bhatnagar, director-general of the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA), who was also present during the meeting, didn't apprise the members that offenders, as per World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, are ineligible to use government-run facilities as long as they are under suspension.

Priyanka Panwar and Ashwini had requested SAI to allow them to train and use the accommodation, which was approved. Sini Jose and Juana Murmu had also trained at the centre.