Anti-doping rule violation: No action against coaches this time, says WFI

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Thursday said that action would not be taken against the coaches in the reported anti-doping rule violation by woman wrestler Reena in the Asian under-23 championships in Ulaanbaatar in March.

Earlier this month, the WFI had decided that in case a wrestler tested positive for a banned substance, then disciplinary action would also be taken against the coaches associated with him/her. (Representational Image)

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Thursday said that action would not be taken against the coaches in the reported anti-doping rule violation by woman wrestler Reena in the Asian under-23 championships in Ulaanbaatar in March.

Earlier this month, the WFI had decided that in case a wrestler tested positive for a banned substance, then disciplinary action would also be taken against the coaches associated with him/her.

However, WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar said the order would be applicable for incidence of doping after the date of notification. “The Asian under-23 event was in March and the order came out in May. Action will not be taken against the coaches in this case. It will be applicable for future cases,” said Tomar.

Tomar denied that the WFI had asked Reena to pay any money as fine. “Since we have not received any communication in this case, there is no question of asking her to pay. This is not true.

“In case it turns out to be a doping violation, the case will be dealt with as per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.”

READ: Asian Championship silver medallist wrestler Reena fails dope test

Tomar said the WFI asked two junior wrestlers – who failed dope tests and banned for two years – to pay a fine of Rs 8 lakh each last year.

“We have to pay a penalty of Rs 16 lakh per dope positive result to the international federation. There is no justification of the WFI bearing the fine for the fault of the wrestlers. In such cases, the wrestlers take it lightly and hope to return after two years. Since they did not pay their share of the fine, they were banned for life over and above their two-year suspension for anti-doping rule violation,” said Tomar.