Pakistan Information & News

 Weightlifter Monika Devi who was forced to give the Beijing Olympics a miss due to bungled dope test has threatened not to take part in any national or international event until the officials who wrongly accused her of failing the test were punished.

 Monika a 69kg category lifter said she was a victim of politics in sports. I could not take part in the Olympic games as a result of politics in Indian sports. All those who are responsible for framing false charges against me must be pulled up and given befitting punishment she demanded and an emotional Monika who arrived here from New Delhi yesterday, said she never knew politics in Indian sports would be so dirty to the extent that an innocent player who had worked hard would be dropped at the last minute from participating in the Olympic games by framing false charges.

At a function organised in her honour she welcomed the support given by the people of her state who called a bandh today in protest against her exclusion from the Olympic squad and the stand taken by the people of my state for a victimised player like me is simply overwhelming she said with tears in her eyes while seeking the continued support of the people in finding out the truth and punishment to the guilty.
Earlier the Manipur Olympic Association MOA had decided not to participate in any national championship and the coming National games if Monika Devi was not sent to Beijing. Monika was prevented from boarding the Beijing flight at the last minute on August 6 after testing positive for a banned anabolic salt. Backed by the Indian Weightlifting Federation, Monika claimed innocence as she had cleared four dope tests in the last two months and alleged that she was being victimised by some members of the Sports Authority of India. I am innocent. I have always stayed away from doping and that is why I was selected in the trials a tearful Monika had said at a press conference in New Delhi on Aug 6. Everyone knows there are various international tests and no sensible athlete would do that dope. I am ready to go to Beijing where my dope test is scheduled for tomorrow Aug 7. If I fail there leave apart banning me for life shoot me in public she had said. Monika who was selected ahead of Andhra weightlifter Shailaja Pujari in the trials last month, claimed some people in the SAI were trying to make case for Shailaja due to regional allegiance. However three days later on Aug 9 she was cleared by the SAI of any wrongdoing but the relief came too late for her to participate in the Olympics. Unhappy over Sports Authority of Indias flip-flop over dope testing ainvolving the weightlifter, Sports Minister MS Gill appointed former Chief Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy to inquire into all aspects of this matter on Aug 13 and submit its findings within a week.

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