The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) is serious about age-fudging and has started crackdown on state associations that are turning a blind eye to this issue.
The IWLF, which believes that proper grooming of youngsters can fetch more than one weightlifting medals for the country in 2024, has already withheld the results of the Uttar Pradesh state championships owing to overage problem.
“Overage and doping are the two major issues. Doping cases have come down and we will continue our fight against it. The biggest challenge is the overage problem. It discourages talented boys and girls and hurts their growth. It also hampers the growth of those who do it,” said IWLF secretary general Sahdev Yadav on the sidelines of the National Weightlifting Championships here.
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“The UP state championships were held four months ago but we have not declared the results as majority of the participants have not submitted their age proof. We will be really strict on this.
“We need to take care of genuine talent if we want to win big medals.”
Yadav said the IWLF had been focusing on comprehensive development of the sport. “For the last two years, we have been conducting the Nationals on the lines of international events. Be it the weigh-in system or functioning of referees and jury members, everything is computerised now. There is no scope for fights or disputes any more.
“Also, our lifters get used to the system and do not feel awkward in international competitions.”
Yadav, who is a qualified international technical official, said the IWLF had been trying to enhance the efficiency of its technical officials. “We are working towards making things transparent so that no one faces injustice. We are bringing in the best practices to the sport,” said Yadav.
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