Bangalore: The Punjab government was left red-faced and grappling with a major drug scandal as nine more kabaddi players tested positive for banned substances.
The National Anti-Doping Agency, which collected 51 urine samples of those who appeared for trials of the 2nd World Cup Kabaddi, said that of the 50 results made available by the National Dope Testing Laboratory, 19 turned positive. Ten of the positive cases were reported on Wednesday.
Last year, too, around 13 positive results during the selection process forced the organisers to call for a fresh round of trials. This year, the number has gone up further.
"The prohibited substances found in the nine cases on Thursday include stanozolol, methendinone, trenbolone, drostanolone, nandrolone and phentermine (stimulant)," NADA director general Rahul Bhatnagar said in a release.
While provisional suspensions have been slapped on the offenders, Bhatnagar said he had asked the Punjab government to be vigilant.
"I have asked Pargat Singh (sports director, Punjab) to establish the credentials and bonafides of the visiting teams and also seek dope-free certificates from each player of the visiting teams before they are allowed to participate," Bhatnagar said, adding that NADA will also try and test every player participating in the World Cup.
The Times Of India