‘ Ashwini & Co. case not handled properly’
It’s said that “once a champion, always a champion.” But what if a champion violates rules and continues to derive benefit because of his past records?
On December 23 last year, a three- member National Anti- Doping Agency Disciplinary panel went beyond the Nada rules and World Anti- Doping Agency codes to pronounce ‘ reduced’ suspensions for India’s six top female athletes for doping violations.
Two and half months later, four of the girls including Ashwini Akkunji — appeal- ing against their reduced one- year bans before National Anti- Doping Appeal panel — were given the benefit of doubt as their bans were backdated to the date of sample collections, thus bringing them hope of Olympic qualification.
Indeed, the NADAP decision — which overlooked Wada’s appeal — was a clear attempt “to enable the athletes to train and compete in the forthcoming Olympic trials”. Now more than three months after the disciplinary panel decision, two of the six banned athletes — Mandeep Kaur and Juana Murmu — have appealed to NADAP, seeking annulment to their one- year sanctions. Clearly, their move is against the Wada code as appeals are to be filed within 14 days has bewildered Nada. Also the two ‘ international- level’ athletes have the right to appeal only with the Court of Arbitration of Sport.
A Nada official said, “The case was not handled properly. If we look into the decision of the Dayal panel, it was not according to Wada rules which says two- year bans for first- timers for steroids violations.”
“Though there is a time limit to file an appeal ( 14 days), the way the case was handled previously and decisions given, the girls must had thought that they can succeed this time again. Lets see whether Mahajan entertain the appeal or quashes it,” he said.
Anand said, “If Mahajan do not hear the girls' appeal then we will go to the High Court with the plea ( like the four girls), and seek relief. These two girls should be at par with the four others, who have been permitted to train at the SAI Centre. I want these girls, too, to train with the others and make the Olympics cut.”
Recently, the quartet of Ashwini, Sini Jose, Priyanka Pawar and Tiana Mary Thomas had moved the Delhi High Court seeking directions from the Union Government to allow them to have access to training facilities and quashing the NADAP order. While the plea regarding the training facility was granted, the case was listed for May 15.
However, Athletics Federation of India director M. L. Dogra was unruffled by the new development. " I have not been contacted by these girls and have no idea what they are doing. Nada is handling it and looking after their cases. We are more concerned about medals in the Olympics and have girls like Mridula, Tintu Luka etc. who are doing well.”