Lifters set for SAF Games in Bangladesh

Indian weightlifters must have heaved a sigh of relief as their participation for the SAF Games in Bangladesh was cleared as the Indian Weightlifting Federation paid an installment of $50,000 of the $500,000 fine. The International Weightlifting Federation, therefore, has cleared the way for Indian lifters to participate  in the January 28th-February 8th event in Dhaka.

This is a temporary relief as the Indian body will have to pay the whole amount before the Commonwealth Games to ensure participation in the New Delhi event. The Indian federation and the international body will work out the timeframe and the number of installments.

Sahdev Yadav, secretary-general of the Indian Weightlifting Federation said the meeting would happen once the SAF Games are over. “We have received the letter from the international federation stating that Indian lifters can participate in the SAF Games. We paid the first installment to ensure our lifters’ participation in the SAF Games,” a relieved Yadav said. A six-member Indian team will now leave for Dhaka on January 29 to participate in the 11-day competition.