Sangram Singh is aghast at what fellow wrestler Narsingh Yadav had to go through (see box on p5).
“Imagine the trauma that he went through for no fault of his. Uske saath bahut ghalat hua. I know the boy. For 15 years, he has been clean. Why would he take banned substances when he is on the biggest mission of his career... to get an Olympic medal for the country?”, asks Sangram.
“When he should’ve been putting his energy into preparing for the Rio Olympics, poor Narsingh was spending sleepless nights, consulting lawyers and giving interviews about his innocence. Why did he need to prove his innocence when he was innocent? Who put him in this traumatic situation just days before the Olympics? And why just the wrestling fraternity? There is dirty politics in every walk of life in our country,” Sangram says.
Meanwhile Sushil Kumar, who was contesting Narsingh’s selection is being suspected by some to have had a part to play in the controversy, which the younger wrestler is calling ‘sabotage’ through contamination of food/drink.
But Sangram gives Sushil Kumar a clean chit. “I know Sushil. He has only brought pride and Olympic medals to India. He is senior to Narsingh. As seniors, we all need to encourage support and respect young talent. Narsingh also has struggled a lot. This incident could’ve finished off his career. But God and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were on his side.”
Regarding the ‘contamination of food’, Sangram admits better security measures need to be put in place. Food at such events is made at a common mess. No one checks what’s mixed with the food. When we have athletes representing our country at such prestigious outing, we ought to be more cautious.”
He hopes the government gets to the bottom of the controversy. “A boy has been caught for putting the dope in Narsingh’s food. Why was he doing it? Who was behind this spiteful act? We as Indians and sportspersons should get over the crab mentality. Why do we want to pull down anyone who is on the road to success? Why do we celebrate only our own success and not that of others?”
Sangram now wants to see Narsingh win big at the Olympics. “Let’s hope no representative of our country has to go through what he did,” he concludes.
THE NARSINGH YADAV CONTROVERSY
He edged out Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar for a berth in the Olympic contingent this year in the 74 kg category for wrestling.
Sushil insisted on a trial match even though Narsingh won the berth through quota. The courts sided with Narsingh.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) conducted a random dope test on Narsingh on July 5 at the Sports Authority of India’s Sonipat centre. He tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid.
Narsingh alleged sabotage by Jitesh, a junior wrestler from Sushil’s training base. He filed a complaint with the Rai Police in Haryana saying that the wrestler contaminated food meant for him. The accused is said to have confessed to the crime.
Narsingh was exonerated by the NADA (National Anti Doping Agency) at their disciplinary committee hearing on Monday, enabling him to represent the country in Rio.
However, NADA’s decision is expected to be reviewed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. India already have a back-up entry in Parveen Rana.
If allowed by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA), Narsingh will join the Indian contingent August 19.
He met the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi who assured him of his support.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Sangram-Narsingh")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}